Mrs Williscroft and her son Patrick, 2, were the first family to make use of the new Ronald McDonald House Orange when they stayed overnight on Friday after a day of appointments at Orange hospital.

The young family from Cobar makes regular trips to Orange and The Children’s Hospital at Westmead for Patrick, who has primary ciliary dyskinesia.

It is a condition where the microscopic hairs in his ears, nose and lungs do not move mucus and bacteria out of his body fast enough, which means the youngster is very susceptible to ear and chest infections.

Mrs Williscroft said while Patrick’s condition was being managed, and he had only had two ear infections and five courses of antibiotics in the last six months, he still needed to see doctors and attend outpatient clinics regularly. 

She said having a place like Ronald McDonald House to come back to after a long day of travel and sitting around in waiting rooms was a lifesaver.

“He’s got a home environment here. And he knows, that after all the appointments are done, he has all these toys to play with. You need that positive reinforcement after a long day,” Mrs Williscroft said.

“It’s great because you can just drop your bags, and he can run around and play with the toys. It’s hard if you’re staying in a motel, because they’re’s not a lot of space. It’s a lot less stressful for me.”

Volunteer Toby Te Rupe was the first volunteer to take on overnight duties and make sure everything was in check.

Mr Te Rupe said he jumped at the chance to volunteer at RMH Orange because he wanted to repay the help RMH Westmead volunteers gave his family six years ago.

“We were regulars at Ronald McDonald House in Westmead when my daughter Wairangi Te Rupe needed a liver transplant a few years ago,” Mr Te Rupe said.

“Going through that horrible time, all you needed was somewhere to eat, sleep, rest and gather your thoughts.

“I remember turning up late, tired, disorientated, your head’s in a spin, and there was a volunteer there ready to show you to your rooms, make sure everything’s fine and leave you be, but they’d  be on hand if you needed anything.”