The first Ronald McDonald House was opened in Philadelphia in the United States in 1974, largely through the efforts of father and Philadelphia Eagles footballer, Fred Hill when his daughter Kim was diagnosed with leukaemia.  Fred and his wife came face-to-face with the same difficulties faced by other parents with children in hospital – sleeping in chairs, eating food from vending machines, losing privacy and being separated from the rest of the family back home.

They began to think there had to be a solution.  Fred rallied the support of his Philadelphia Eagles team mates and the local McDonald’s owner operators to raise funds and help other families experiencing the same emotional and financial traumas as his own. 

Together they created the first Ronald McDonald House and today there are 267 Ronald McDonald Houses in 28 countries and 108 Family Rooms in 11 countries.

In New Zealand there are Ronald McDonald Houses in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.  The Wellington House was the first in New Zealand, and opened on 20 September 1991.

To find out about our other houses please click below:

Ronald McDonald House Auckland

Ronald McDonald House Christchurch