The organisation opened a new family room at John Hunter Children’s Hospital’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) on December 11 – two days before the club handed over its $5000 donation, raised at a bowls day in September.

Ronald McDonald House community engagement team Leonie Borrow and Isha Doyle said the donation was greatly appreciated.

“It’s a huge amount for a small community,” Ms Borrow said.

“This will do amazing things to help us run those services that local families are using,” Ms Doyle added.

The club held its first bowls day for Ronald McDonald House in 2013, and has raised more than $16,000 over the five years.

Committee member Ian Lewis said they would have been happy to raise $500 that year, and ended up doubling their goal.

And they have gradually built it up every year – raising $2500 in 2014, $3750 in 2015 and $4250 last year.

The volunteer organising commitee thanked club secretary-manager Cathy Flegg for her assistance; all of the local businesses and individuals who made a donation or bought a raffle ticket, and the bowlers who took part on the day – which drew 24 teams, filling the club’s two greens for a great day of bowls.

The bowls day will return in 2018, and the club is planning to hold a country music night that will also benefit Ronald McDonald House.

Stay tuned for more details in the new year.

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