Celebrating our Helping Hands: National Volunteer Week 2025

This National Volunteer Week, we pause with immense gratitude to celebrate the people who form the heart and soul of Ronald McDonald House Charities South East Queensland (RMHC SEQ). We couldn’t do what we do without the support of our wonderful volunteers. RMHC SEQ volunteers are more than just helping hands – they offer warm smiles at check-in, comforting cups of tea in the hospital, and reassuring voices during some of life’s most difficult moments.

Despite a state-wide decline in volunteerism, we’ve been able to grow our volunteer program from 180 to 270 over the past 18 months. This is a true testament to the heart and commitment of our team and the South East Queensland community. Last year alone, our volunteers contributed over 19,450 hours to our programs equating to $900,000 in monetary value.

From morning tea celebrations, to the Queensland Volunteering Awards, this week has been a wonderful time celebrating the extraordinary people who continue to make a difference – not just in our Houses, Family Rooms, and Programs, but across Queensland communities

Queensland Volunteering Awards 2025

Tony Wong – Queensland New Volunteer Nominee

In just over a year, Tony has become an invaluable RMHC SEQ volunteer, contributing across House support, finance, and community events. Balancing work, study, and family, Tony brings reliability, warmth, and professional skill to every role he takes on. As a former RMHC Hong Kong volunteer, Tony has and continues to make a positive impact on the lives of families with ill or injured children

Emma Gilmour – Queensland Youth Volunteer of the Year Nominee

At just 21, Emma has contributed over 400 hours to RMHC SEQ, supporting families through the Meals from the Heart Program, assisting at events and donating handmade crochet toys to families. Now volunteering in the Fundraising, Marketing and Communications team, she uses her creativity to amplify the charity’s impact. Her passion and dedication to the charity have strengthened RMHC SEQ’s ability to support families and inspire a new generation of young volunteers to get involved

Sonja Henry – Queensland Volunteer of the Year Nominee

Sonja is a dedicated RMHC volunteer, known for her reliability, warmth, and initiative – often stepping in during busy times and offering comfort to families. From cooking homemade meals to creating a local services directory, her innovative efforts have improved both family experiences and operational effectiveness. Sonja has made a profound impact on not only our families but on employees and other volunteers as well.

Susan Hurst – Queensland Volunteer of the Year Nominee

Susan has devoted over 1,600 hours to RMHC SEQ since 2014, offering support to families visiting the Ronald McDonald Family Rooms inside the Gold Coast University Hospital. Her self-initiated weekly bread deliveries bring warmth and comfort to parents staying by their child’s side, embodying her thoughtful and human-centered approach to care. Susan’s decade of service has touched thousands of lives, making her a deeply valued part of our community

Thank you to all our amazing volunteers across South East Queensland. This week, we celebrate you, your hard work, and your dedication to supporting families with ill or injured children.

To learn more about how you can join our amazing volunteering team, click here.

(Image from left to right – Sonja Henry, Susan Hurst, Emma Gilmour and Tony Wong)

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