Dilworth School ran a House to House event on Friday 6 March to raise money for Ronald McDonald House for a second year. Last year the school collectively raised over $15,000. This year the aim was to raise $20,000 and this amount has already been surpassed with two weeks still left to continue fundraising.

The school first ran a House to House event in 2019 which was organised by Dilworth Senior Campus P.E teacher Ally Patterson who has been volunteering his time at Ronald McDonald House. He runs P.E classes for the children at the charity, many who have life-threatening conditions.

The aim of House to House is to walk or run 210km which is the average distance families travel every month in New Zealand for their child to receive hospital treatment away from home. This year the Dilworth community collectively ran/walked 3,465km, over 1,000km further than at last year’s House to House event.

“It is so important in life to help others and show compassion and empathy. We want our students to help those in need. The Ronald McDonald House run is a great way to make students aware of this charity and support the cause. It was such a good feeling seeing so many staff, students and families participate and then see the fundraising amount jump by almost $8,000 in 48 hours” said Patterson. 

Dilworth’s fundraising event was held at the Senior Campus over a period of six hours. Families and individuals could come down to the school field and walk or run the 2km circuit as many times as they would like and record their laps at the registration desk. The school community really came together with drinks and food being sold by the school prefects to raise further funds for the charity. Families could also be seen sitting on picnic blankets with packed picnic baskets, making an afternoon or evening of it.
Headmaster Dan Reddiex said “the support from the entire Dilworth community ranging from the children of staff members, students, staff, parents and old boys was superb. It was an evening and an opportunity to express our thankfulness for what we have been blessed with and make a small sacrifice and offering of our time, energy and finances to give to others in need. ”

Dilworth P.E teacher Ally Patterson hopes to continue to run the event at the school. Next year he has set both the fundraising and distance target even higher. He said “I believe next year could be even bigger and better.”