Heart and Sole Linedance Ball

Dispelling Rumours regarding fund raising efforts

On 25th November, 2007 the Sunday Telegraph printed an article entitled "Families Left Un-McHappy". The article reported that "cash strapped families of sick children are struggling to pay for accommodation at Ronald McDonald House....forcing them to seek shelter elsewhere". The article gave an example of a family who were required to "squash" into a relatives apartment and subsequently drive 3 hours to and from the Childrens' Hospital each day for treatment.
 
The article went on to cite the charges that tennants are required to pay and compared this to Ronald McDonald Houses in the UK which offer free accommodation to families.
 
This article apparently caused some Line Dancers who read it to seriously doubt the veracity of the Fund Raising Line Dance extravaganza proposed for 26th April 2008 at the Sydney Olympic Sports Centre and the use of the Fund Raising Red Polo Shirts for the Royal Easter Show Line Dance demonstration next year.
 
At the same time, the article caused distress to the families of sick children who have spent months experiencing the whole hearted generosity of Ronald McDonald House and all the facilities this organisation offers the families and their loved ones.
 
Margaret Emery from Ronald McDonald House Westmead would like to assure all participants in the Heart and Sole Line Dance Ball and the Royal Easter Show Demonstration, both to be held in 2008, that all proceeds from the fund raising efforts go directly to Ronald McDonald House Westmead and that the House affords every service to every tennant whether they pay any money or not throughout their entire stay.
 
One parent felt strongly enough about the inaccurate portrayal of Ronald McDonald House that she wrote a reply to the Sunday Telegraph. We have added that letter to the website to help dispel any misconceptions any line dancers may have regarding the newspaper article.

Reply from a concerned parent

 

 

Re: Families left Un Mc Happy 25/11/07

 

 

In July 2007, my 3 year old daughter was diagnosed with a rare form of liver cancer. We have been receiving life saving treatment at the Children’s Hospital Westmead and staying at Ronald McDonald House. I have been overwhelmed by the generosity shown to us by the staff and volunteers at Ronald Mc Donald House.  They work tirelessly to provide families with a “home away from home” during an enormously difficult time  and go above and beyond to help if they can. I have not had to pay a cent towards this accommodation and staff have helped me access benefits I was not aware of. To accuse them of anything less than total commitment to helping families in need is ludicrous and an insult to all the fabulous work done by this extraordinary charity. It also displays insensitivity to the families and children who benefit from their care.

I wish to thank Ronald Mc Donald House Westmead staff and volunteers. You have made this horrible journey so much smoother and words cannot repay your kindness.

 

C. Nader

Maitland NSW

Great News!!! 

Every year, hundreds of Line Dancers take to the arena at the Royal Easter Show to participate in the Annual Line Dance Demonstration. Each year the dress code is different, but always themed to enhance the performance.

For 2008, Organiser Helen Waller, and the Royal Easter Show committee have graciously agreed to have the Heart And Sole Line Dance Ball polo shirt as the official dress code. Imagine the spectacle as hundreds of Line Dancers run out onto the arena dressed in red and black.

Not only will these avid volunteers be promoting Line Dancing itself, they will also be making a generous donation towards the fundraising activities of the Heart And Sole Line Dance Ball committee. All profits from every polo shirt sold will go directly to Ronald McDonald House Westmead.

The good quality red polo shirts with Heart And Sole Line Dance Ball written on the back and the insignia on the front can be purchased for $20.00. You can see photos of the Committee members wearing the shirts on the Photos page of this website.

We ask that Line Dance Instructors throughout the Region invite class members to purchase these polo shirts now in readiness for the Royal Easter Show Demonstration. Each polo shirt purchased automatically becomes a generous donation towards Ronald McDonald House Westmead. For every fully paid order of 20 polo shirts, one free polo shirt will be included in your delivery.

Please contact Margaret Emery at Ronald McDonald House on 98450600 or email rmh@rmhwestmead.org.au with your orders.

Margaret and Helen would like to emphasise that dancers are not expected to purchase one of the Heart And Sole Line Dance Ball polo shirts to be able to participate in the demonstration at the Royal Easter Show. Those who do not purchase the polo shirt are invited to wear any red short sleeved and collared shirt to the demonstration.