Ray and Ronald partner up

250214bf4 clockwise from top left Tim O'Sullivan, Rob Parry, Linley Parry, and Anita Martelli, 25 February 2014 Rotorua Daily Post Photograph by Ben Fraser DPM 27Feb14 - SUPPORTERS: Tim O'Su

Ray White Rotorua has become the founding member of the Ronald McDonald Family Retreat Business Club.

The club has been set up to help cover the operational costs and upkeep of the lakeside retreat in Ngongotaha - which provides a week's free accommodation for seriously ill children and their families from around New Zealand.

Ray White had supported the retreat from the beginning so it was fitting it was the first club member, according to the retreat's operations committee members and local McDonald's franchisees Rob and Linley Parry.

"It's like closing the loop," Mrs Parry said. "They [Ray White] have been with us right from the beginning of the project. They helped us find the property in 2008, we built the house in 2009."

While the Supper Club fundraiser raised a substantial amount for the retreat's upkeep, more was needed to keep the property in "mint condition", Mrs Parry said.

Mr Parry said there had been a long standing connection between Ray White and the Ronald McDonald House charities "so it's nice to be able to do this locally".

Ray White was also the auctioneers at the Supper Club pre-dinner auction, he said.

Membership of the business club costs $5000 a year and in return members' logos will be used on the charity's website, they get a complimentary table at the Supper Club event and are granted category exclusivity or preferred supplier status to the retreat. They can also use the Ronald McDonald Family Retreat brand to promote the partnership to their clients and customers.

Members will also be given the opportunity to greet and farewell visiting families at the start and end of their holiday.

"[They will] get first-hand knowledge of what it's like to deal with the families in their time of need," Mr Parry said.

Ray White Rotorua owners Anita Martelli and Tim O'Sullivan said they were excited about that opportunity, having heard from the Parrys how much families appreciated the time out from the stresses of having a sick child.

"It's such a good, worthy cause, it's going to benefit those families and those children that go through so much," Mrs Martelli said. "Everyone you speak to knows somebody who has a child that's gone through this [illness]."

Mr O'Sullivan said his whole team was behind the project and he envisaged this being a long-term partnership with the retreat. "We are thrilled to bits to be supporting this."

This year's Supper Club fundraiser on April 2 is already sold out, with a waiting list for tickets. Last year's event raised $58,000 and organisers are hoping to top that this year.

For information about joining the Ronald McDonald Family Retreat Business Club contact Rob or Linley Parry on (07) 350 3213.