Ronald McDonald Rotorua retreat gives family of six time together

The Sim family Eli, 2, (left) Andrew, Lily, 6, Mya, 14, Hazel and Carter, 4. PHOTO/SUPPLIED

In what was a rollercoaster of a year for the Sim family, a house on the shores of Lake Rotorua offered a place to get away, even if it was only for a week.

Throughout 2017 Carter Sim battled Alagille syndrome, a rare condition affecting his heart, liver, lungs and kidneys.

After liver failure and a transplant the year before, a tumour was found in Carter's kidney in April 2017.

Now 4, the little boy went through months of chemotherapy and radiation. He was in hospital just before Christmas and only released three days before.

That's why the week the Napier-based family spent at Ronald McDonald House Charites' only retreat was such a blessing.

Local tourism operators donate passes for families at the retreat to use. PHOTO/SUPPLIED

The family, including Hazel and her husband Andrew, Carter and his siblings Mya, 14, Lily, 6 and Eli, 2, spent a week at the Rotorua retreat over the new year.

"It was the perfect place to go because we'd spent such a long time in Auckland. To be able to go spend some time with the girls and Eli for a whole week doing completely nothing was amazing," Hazel said.

"Carter and I spent most of our year in Auckland and the other kids were back home with Andrew. We hadn't spent much time together and when we did it was rushed.

"Being able to spend a week in a beautiful home relaxing, it was just incredible. We felt really refreshed and fortunate and the kids just loved it."

In the week they were at the retreat the family spent time seeing the sights in Rotorua and playing the games filling the cupboard.

Carter Sim plays on the shore of Lake Rotorua. PHOTO/SUPPLIED

Hazel said the children still talked about the Rotorua Duck Tour they went on and the luge and gondola.

"Even though the weather wasn't too good, it was actually amazing. We spent time on the lake and just being there was nice."

The time at the retreat won't be the family's last encounter with Ronald McDonald House Charities.

They have stayed at Ronald McDonald House in Auckland every time Carter has to spend time in hospital. His sister Mya also has Alagille syndrome and has to go to Auckland regularly.

"Carter has come a long way but he's still having some complications. We're back and forth all the time. I don't think that will ever stop for Carter," Hazel said.

"We love Ronald McDonald House and we're so fortunate to be able to go there. I don't know what we would have done without it."