It's just over a month since Wollongong's first Ronald McDonald family room opened its doors, but its value for tired and anxious parents and carers is already clear.
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"This room is an absolute godsend," penned one parent in a visitor book overflowing with tributes.
"It is a beautiful set-up for parents to recharge their batteries," wrote another, while one thought it: "very special for the Wollongong Hospital to have such a wonderful room for families to escape and relax".
It's estimated that the room, constructed as part of the children's ward redevelopment, will receive more than 1000 visits each month. In its first month, it exceeded that.
It can be used by families with a sick or injured child staying on the ward or using one of the outpatient clinics, or those with a baby in the neonatal intensive care unit.
The spacious room offers comfortable seating and dining areas, a playroom, two bedrooms, a fully equipped kitchen as well as laundry and bathroom facilities.
The best part though is the fact it is staffed by Ronald McDonald House Charities volunteers - who spend their shifts making coffee, baking cakes, preparing meals, washing clothes and lending a sympathetic ear.
Wollongong's family room co-ordinator Dianne Mangley said she'd been overwhelmed by the community support, with more than 90 applications received from locals keen to volunteer.
One of the volunteers already on board is Fairy Meadow's Lara Speering, a single mother and full-time university student who is still making time for others.
You feel good helping families in their time of need - you can see the relief on their faces when they walk in.
- Ronald McDonald family room volunteer Lara Speering
"It's fun and you feel good helping families in their time of need - you can see the relief on their faces when they walk in," she said.
"Some parents are so sick with worry they don't sleep much at night, so for them to come in and have a coffee and something to eat or just relax is exactly what they need."
Ms Speering, 24, has been one of those worried parents - she had to rush her little girl Charlotte to emergency a couple of years ago due to a viral illness.
And several years ago, her family was able to use the services at Ronald McDonald family room at Sydney Children's Hospital when her cousin was hospitalised for eight months. "I know how important such a space is," she said.
The Wollongong room is the 19th in Australia - and the third for the greater Sydney region - said Ronald McDonald House Charities Sydney CEO Simone Daher.
It was made possible due to the expansion of the children's ward as part of the stage one redevelopment.
"The rooms are an opportunity to support families, so they can step out of the clinical environment of the hospital for a while into a homely environment," Ms Daher said.
"There they can be nurtured, so they're reenergised and ready to go back and nurture their child."
The charity contributed to the cost of the refurbishment of the room, and will oversee the ongoing operations and maintenance.
As well as volunteers, the charity relies on donations of groceries from local business or community members. Visit www.rmhc.org.au for details.
