Ronald McDonald Wodonga family room celebrates 10 years of support
When Amelia Belgrave was born she weighed just 820 grams.
She was born 12 weeks premature and spent the first few months of her life in hospital - on Wednesday she celebrates her 10th birthday alongside the Wodonga facility that supported her family.
The Ronald McDonald Wodonga family room celebrated the milestone yesterday with families who have used the emergency accommodation while their children were in hospital.
For Amelia's grandmother Vicki Chick the "comfort and support" the two-bedroom house, attached to the Wodonga maternity ward, provided her family was "worth all the effort".
Vicki was one of the many who helped fundraise more than $350,000 to build the family room but said she never thought her family would need it.
"Ten years ago my daughter was airlifted to Melbourne at just 28 weeks pregnant, an emergency cesarean was performed and Amelia was born at just one pound, 10 ounces," she said.
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"She was in Melbourne for two months and then airlifted back here in Wodonga hospital for a month.
SMILES: Volunteer Colleen Jensen with Grace Opie who used the room when her son Thomas was born nine weeks premature. Ellie McGuire 22 months plays during the celebrations on Tuesday. Picture: MARK JESSER
"My daughter found this facility just fantastic, when Amelia was asleep she felt she could come in, read a book, have a cup of tea and just get away from it.
"It was invaluable but little did she know that three years later she would be again airlifted to Melbourne at 28 weeks.
"They held her off until 31 weeks and she gave birth to Eliza who was three pounds.
"Never did I think I would come over here and be sitting with Stace and looking after the grandkids in here.
"It has been worth every moment we put into the fundraising and it has been used by many people since then."
The room accommodates around 225 families every year and relies on volunteers and donations to keep it running.
There are eight rooms left for adoption in the family room and each room can be adopted by a family, community group or business for between $1000 and $3000 per annum.
The funds help to contribute towards the ongoing running costs to keep the doors open to families when they need it the most.
To adopt a room or help out visit rmhc.org.au