Ronald McDonald House volunteers Mary Whitton, Mary Orford to retire
After a combined 36 years, two besties who travelled from the South Coast to help at a Sydney home for ill children and their families are saying farewell to the roles that have given them ‘a beautiful feeling’.
NSW
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Besides sharing the same first names, best friends Mary Whitton and Mary Orford also have their love for volunteering in common, even if it means travelling the long journey from the South Coast to western Sydney to help others.
Bomaderry‘s Mrs Whitton and Mrs Orford, from Nowra, catch the train three hours each way to volunteer at Ronald McDonald House at Westmead each month when they serve meals to families of ill children who are receiving hospital treatment.
Mrs Whitton has dedicated the past 22 years to the role, which she learned about during a presentation to the Shoalhaven Kids in Need charity in the early 2000s.
When the former cleaner learned volunteers who live far away could stay overnight, the pull to help others was even stronger.
“You meet lots of families,’’ the 82-year-old said.
“We try to keep it nice and cheerful, and we’re not allowed to ask too many questions.
“Mary (Orford’s) quite a character.
“We just love it. Maybe because it makes you appreciate what you’ve got – especially if you have a healthy family, which I’m lucky to have.’’
Mrs Orford took up volunteering 14 years ago and joins Mrs Whitton on the journey to and from Westmead.
“I just absolutely love giving and I get much more than I give,’’ she said.
“It’s just a beautiful feeling to give and to see those families that struggle every day – they’re so brave and I admire them. I just love what I do.’’
The ritual for “the two Marys” (as Ronald McDonald House staff call them) is to board a South Coast train to Central at 6.30am, visit their favourite cafe at the QVB then board another train to Parramatta for lunch and make their way to Westmead two hours ahead of their 6pm start.
Mrs Orford decided to retire because her husband Len is ill.
“I feel sad but I feel it’s the right thing for me to do,’’ she said.
A Ronald McDonald House spokeswoman praised the volunteers.
“They are beautiful women who are the epitome of sunshine and the benefits of volunteering,’’ she said.
Mrs Orford, a former tour guide, nursing assistant and cleaner, noted the changes at Ronald McDonald House over the decades, including the expansion from 15 to 60 families – a number that has reached capacity and driven the demand for more volunteers.
To help meet the demand, it will expand into a 10-room house within The Children’s Hospital at Westmead’s new 14-storey Paediatric Services Building by the start of 2026.
The facility on level nine will provide accommodation for 10 families each night and offer holistic programs and services such as learning activities, entertainment and counselling.
Last year, more than 120 individuals contributed more than 13,000 hours of their time to volunteering at Ronald McDonald House.
To learn more email volunteer.westmead@rmhc.org.au or call 9806 7111 or click here.
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