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Our Story / Background
When local businessman Adam Sherman and Ross Presgrave first saw the stunning block of land in Forster, NSW, they knew they had found what they had been looking for. Finally, their dream of helping seriously ill children and their families could come to light.
On the edge of Wallis Lake in Forster, NSW, is a lush green area with sparkling blue water, in the overflow area of the Forster Beach Caravan Park. Adam, along with Ross Presgrave, a Forster local, knew this site was perfect for their special project - building a Ronald McDonald Family Retreat.
"The view is amazing," he says.
"There is a clear view of the sea, with the lake opening up to the Pacific Ocean and the water is crystal clear - just beautiful. It is perfect."
Ronald McDonald House Charities built their first Family Retreat in 2003, with the aim of providing free accommodation for families with seriously ill children and recently bereaved families to enjoy a much needed holiday together. The Forster Family Retreat will be the fourth house of it's kind in Australia.
Dreams Do Come True
"It's been a dream of both myself and Adam's as both our families have been touched with cancer," says Ross. Adam lost his mother to cancer, and Ross' grandson successfully battled leukaemia when he was four. As Ross adds, "As a result we both wanted to do something for seriously ill children."The duo formed a committee dedicated to raising funds. With the help of local McDonald's restaurant owners, Great Lakes Council and various community events, they raised in excess of $100,000, with all the proceeds going towards their plan to build four deluxe family retreat cabins. Many local businesses have since come on board with offers of assistance and supplies.
The project has also been supported by Ronald McDonald House Charities and the Commonwealth Government of Australia who each contributed over $200,000 to the building costs. Newcastle Permanent contributed $84,000 and ANZ Bank contributed $50,000.
"The cabins are going to be very special," says Ross, "For the colour scheme, we've decided on stunning aquamarines and blues, and the outside of the cabins will be a sandy goldy colour. Each cabin will have two bedrooms, an ensuite and any child that needs wheelchair access will get it as the ground is flat," says Ross. "It's just the most beautiful spot - we knew that straightaway." Up to 208 families a year will be able to benefit from the free seaside accommodation.
Full Steam Ahead
The project recently got the final stamp of approval from the Great Lakes Council, after almost three years in the design process.The first Ronald McDonald Family Retreat, Fiona Lodge in Batemans Bay, opened was named after a local resident Fiona Art who died of cystic fibrosis at the age of 28. The second is Kessia's Cottage, which was set up by the parents of Kessia who died of a brain tumor aged seven. This year also saw the opening of a Family Retreat in Bunbury, WA, with another one in the planning process for Jurien Bay, WA.
Raising Awareness
The face of the project is little Forster local, Cooper Smeaton, a brave five year old who received treatment for leukaemia - and was staying at the Ronald McDonald House in Randwick.Hearing of Cooper, Ross knew he would be perfect to launch the project.
As his mum recalls, "Ross asked us whether Cooper might like to be photographed for the Family Retreat. He was delighted - he loves anything to do with Ronald McDonald!"
"We are very pleased to have Cooper as the face of the project." says Ross. "He is a wonderful, wonderful, very brave little boy."
Click here to view the
Family Retreat Brochure
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