Through the Community Building Partnership Grants, the house has welcomed an additional room, taking the total to a five-unit facility, and added an outdoor undercover area for families to relax in.

“Local member Kevin Anderson has been instrumental in the support of helping us access the funds for capital improvements to RMHT. The renovations mean we can assist even more families from across the North West and New England while their child is receiving treatment at Tamworth hospital. It helps take the pressure off the hospital, it takes the pressure off the community to help raise the funds for the expansion, and it takes an enormous amount of pressure from the families who call Ronald McDonald House Tamworth their home away from home,” house manager Chris Watson said.

In the past seven-and-a-half years, the house has been a home away from home for more than 1400 families from across the New England and North West. 

Mr Anderson said Ronald McDonald House was an important asset to the community and deserved ongoing support.

“Ronald McDonald House is there when people are at their most vulnerable, so we need to make sure we support them, to make those times as comfortable as possible for families right across the New England and North West visiting Tamworth hospital,” he said.

“It really had been a community effort, and we know that we will need more units in the future.” 

Mr Anderson said it was all about keeping the family unit together, which helped with healing sick children.

Ronald McDonald House Northern NSW chief executive officer Ross Bingham said January and February were the busiest two months the house had experienced, so the fifth unit was vital.

“It will make all the difference to one family and give that child the best opportunity we can,” he said.

Tuesday also marked the last day for Mr Watson, who has been house manager for more than three years.