Skip to content
CharitiesAidWelfare, Education Training

Ronald McDonald House Charities helps turn dreams into reality for young adults

Ronald McDonald House Charities South East Queensland 2 mins read

Ronald McDonald House Charities South East Queensland (RMHC SEQ) is giving deserving young people a chance to get their education or career back on track with the annual Charlie Bell Scholarship.  

The scholarship awards $5,000 grants to young people aged 15-20 who have been impacted by an illness or injury during their childhood and are leaving school to attend a tertiary or vocational institution in 2025.  

The grant money can go towards university or TAFE fees, apprenticeship tools, supplies, or anything that will help them reach their tertiary goals.   

At an early age 2023 Charlie Bell Scholarship recipient, Sophie Nance, was diagnosed with Maroteaux-Lamy Syndrome (MPS 6), a condition that has had a significant impact on her day-to-day life.  

“My condition has come with its challenges – I was constantly playing catch up at school due to missing classes for medical appointments and weekly infusions, I wasn’t able to run around with my friends as I require a wheelchair and I have undergone multiple surgeries,” she said.  

As a recipient of the Charlie Bell Scholarship, Sophie was able to use the money to purchase a new laptop and textbooks for university.  

“I am now pursuing my dreams and studying a Bachelor of Social Work at Queensland University of Technology as well as developing my business, ‘Just Be You’ - a clothing brand tailored for people with Dwarfism.” 

“I’d like to thank RMHC SEQ for choosing me as a recipient for the Charlie Bell Scholarship, it was nice to be recognised for the struggles I have been through and for my achievements,” she said. 

“I highly recommend other students to apply for the scholarship, it has helped lighten my financial burden and allowed me to focus on my studies.”  

RMHC SEQ Chief Executive Officer, Emma Thompson said the organisation feels privileged to be able to give young people a chance to succeed in their tertiary education.  

“An illness or injury can make life stand still, making any progress – whether it be in your education or career, feel almost impossible. That’s why our scholarship exists,” she said.  

“The Charlie Bell Scholarship is such a special program of our organisation, and every year we are amazed by the young adults who apply and are inspired by their dedication to not let their diagnosis stop them from reaching their goals.” 

Applications for the RMHC Charlie Bell Scholarship for 2024 are open now until 30 November 2024. Applicants do not need to have stayed at a Ronald McDonald House to be eligible to apply.  

For more information or to apply, visit: www.rmhc.org.au/charlie-bell-scholarships 


About us:

Ronald McDonald House Charities South East Queensland cares for families with children who are ill or injured. We provide essential services that remove barriers, strengthen families, and promote healing when children need healthcare, including accommodation. Ronald McDonald Houses help families stay together in the midst of physical, emotional and financial stress, while being supported by dedicated and friendly staff and volunteers. 


Contact details:

Erin Saroglia, Marketing and Communications Officer  

E: erinsaroglia@rmhc.org.au    T: 0448 776 835 

Media

More from this category

  • CharitiesAidWelfare, General News
  • 23/12/2024
  • 06:01
Wesley Mission

MEDIA CALL: Christmas Day celebration lunch set-up – Wesley Mission

Monday 23 December 2024 MEDIA CALL Christmas Day celebration lunch set-up Wesley Mission is decking the halls, setting the tables and prepping the puddings in readiness for their much-loved Christmas Day lunch celebration in the city. A team of fantastic volunteers will be busy decorating, wrapping gifts, setting tables, trimming trees ready to welcome more than 300 guests on Christmas Day. Come and see it all coming together and capture the spirit of Christmas. Date: Monday 23 December 2024 Time: Anytime 11.15 -11.45am Where: Wesley Mission 220 Pitt St, Sydney Contact: Anne Holt 0418 628 342 Interview: Wesley Mission Head…

  • Contains:
  • CharitiesAidWelfare, General News
  • 23/12/2024
  • 06:01
Lite n' Easy & Salvation Army

CHRISTMAS PRAYERS ANSWERED FOR FIVE THOUSAND VICTORIANS IN NEED, RECEIVEING THE GIFT OF A COOKED MEAL THANKS TO THE SALVATION ARMY & LITE N’ EASY

No one should go without a Christmas dinner so this year we are donating 5000 meals to those in need via The Salvation Army. “We know so many families are doing it tough and it’s a really tricky time of the year for lots of Australians,” said Lite n’ Easy Accredited Practising Dietitian Ashleigh Jones. Warren Elliott from The Salvation Army says, “We are so grateful for this donation from Lite n’ Easy, we know it will make many people’s day this year having a delicious, nutritious Christmas meal to sit down and enjoy.” MEDIA CALL – FROZEN CHRISTMAS MEALS…

  • CharitiesAidWelfare
  • 20/12/2024
  • 11:06
Oxfam Australia

Israel’s forced displacement orders in Lebanon may constitute grave breaches of International Humanitarian Law, say aid agencies

The 136 forced displacement orders Israel imposed on 25 per cent of Lebanon during its 62 - day war were woefully inadequate, unnecessarily dangerous and likely illegal, aid agencies said today. These orders, which Israel called evacuations, either targeted defined locations, were mass orders that encompassed entire villages, neighbourhoods and towns, or vague directives on nonspecific areas that collectively forced 1.4 million people to flee their homes to overcrowded shelters, and some onto the streets, as nearly every governate in Lebanon came under attack. In a joint report released today, Forced Displacement Orders: Debunking the Myth of Humane Attacks, ActionAid…

Media Outreach made fast, easy, simple.

Feature your press release on Medianet's News Hub every time you distribute with Medianet. Pay per release or save with a subscription.