#FeverDreams - Ronald McDonald House

Made the newspaper. http://i.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/capital-life/7...

You may recognise a couple of names in the article... ?

Yep he isnt impressed.LOL

Starting to think more about the getting everything ready and have contacted Bethel Woods to discuss another thing with them and have been chatting with the Nix about lounge passes etc.

While we have some money in the kitty to continue this, I was hoping people might be ok to contribute again this year to the initiative? Even if it is just $5-10 then that would help to bring the kitty up and in a way you can never have too much money.

What do others think?

Never thought about that, I thought asking for more money from YF supporters for RMH might be a bit rude but Brandon told me this morning that he thought others would be keen and makes them feel like a part of the RMH thing. One thing we are looking at is the possibility of a separate arm of YF that would be the Fever Dreams charity and setting it up as a registered charity. But this is only an idea at this stage as I'm sure there are hoops we have to jump through for this to happen. 

The idea behind that is so that the money contributed can be claimed on tax and also for the work we are doing with RMH and other ideas we are thinking off that we can do as part of YF.

Do - able of course but just takes things to a different level.

https://charities.govt.nz/apply-for-registration/considering-registering-as-a-charity/

Yeah which is why it is an idea at this stage and we may get our legal expert and accountant (Smithy and Liz) to have a look at it and see what needs to be done and if it is worth it.

But you guys are happy for another give a little to top things up again this year?

Count me in!

Absolutely in

I reckon go with another Give a little campaign and maybe mention that as last year was so well received by the families that YF has decided to try and make this an annual charity event.That is if those that must be obeyed agree. 

Not a fan of a YF Charity arm much prefer this approach.

I want to be really clear that in saying what I am about to say I am not being critical of you Ballane, and I appreciate your feedback.

It's not either or.

The existing RMH initiative WILL be continuing. We almost certainly WILL be doing another givealittle appeal for that.

However, in ADDITION to the RMH we are looking at other charitable work. There are a number of ideas in the mix, some or all of which may or may not end up being implemented.

So the "Charitable Arm of YF" idea is to do MORE than just the RMH thing, but it does include that.

One of the BIG drivers for going through the hoops of setting up an official charitable trust is that currently the money collected by Fever Dreams has been sitting in Matt and my personal bank accounts. We both feel uncomfortable about that, but at the scale of things from last year that has worked out okay. As things grow we want to stop doing that and have an actual bank account for all the Fever charity work, separate from the YF main bank accounts.

As an added bonus, people who contribute will be able to claim their contributions as tax deductible.

I just thought I'd share that so everyone understood a bit more about what is being proposed and what is involved in managing it all...

And this is why the current charity system is a joke that allows places that tell stories of imaginary beings to be charities, but a group trying to give families a break can't.

I'm in.

Will give some more to a givealittle page, and think the Charity arm is a great idea, even if you can't get registered as that is a lot of hoops, it would mean you could set it up as a whole side for doing the charity work. :)

Good luck with your efforts 

Perfectly happy to donate again to top up the fund.  I think if we put it out there again this year in much the same way as last year but perhaps could use some of the happy stories in the "blurb".

Count me in eventually, dosh very tight right now, haven't even got my season ticket yet but hope to in the near future.

I'm in the same boat as lg happy to help again but a few things pressing right now

No pressure guys. The posts here are just to keep you all in the loop. The actual rubber-hitting the road is not planned until closer to the season start. More updates coming. Stay tuned.

Yeah I wouldn't expect anyone to contriubte that couldn't or didn't want too, that is ok.

I have been getting in touch with people like Bethels, Westpac, Exodus again so hopefully things might be firing off soon. I'm excited for another year.

Oh I support it because it is a bloody good idea and despite my situation, there is always someone else worse off and suffering from some serious medical situation for a child makes my issues insignificant...in my world anyway.

LG, that is why I love doing what I do, even though to most it is nerdy, geeky. When you see that one face that just lights up because of what you have done to help. That is worth everything.

Also, keen to help in anyway I can.

So awesome news, Grant from the Squadron got in touch with me through Dale as he wants to do the same with Ronald McDonald House in Newcastle at John Hunter Hospital with their guys. So have given him all the details of how we did it last year with the hope they can replacate it over there.

Ive known Furns for many years and he is a top bloke. He was the FFDU Supporter of the Year last year too and does heaps for the promotion of all things football.

I think I've meet him once, but do follow him/chat on Twitter. Have given him all the information and hopefully they will be able to do something too

He had been known to travel to Wellington for Jest away games so may be here in October

Hopefully and then I'll get a chance to meet (or meet again, I think the last time may have been at "The Ave" and I may have been quite drunk)

I don't believe that for a second.

I was there in Sydney for the FFDU awards.

You don't do "quite" drunk...

ahem 

It was all okay in the end...

...we found it, with at least 3 minutes to spare...

Bumpety Bump Bump

funny enough I was just thinking about this tonight while up with my little one. Will need to start marketing the preseason quiz party at Bethels soon. Keep the 3rd October free!!!

So an update on our little adventure.

On Tuesday we were once again transferred from Wellington Hospital NICU to Hastings Hospital SCBU. 48hrs on and Etta is doing well in Hastings hospital. She is up to full feeds for the very first time in her short life and her tummy is coping well so far. Next step for us is that she puts on consistant weight over the next few days then we can start thinking about finally bringing her home. Our boy Lachlan is getting used his new home in Hawkes Bay. Poor bugger has spent the past few days in and out of different modes of transport and is quite unsettled but getting more used to his new surroundings.

Mum and I are both fine although we are both experiencing a wide range of emotions. Even though we are back in our own home after nearly 4 months living at Ronald McDonald House we are finding it difficult to readjust to home life. It is particularly hard being a 15min drive away from our daughter after being a short walk across the road whilst in Wellington. Add Lachlan into that equation and you may begin to understand that we are not finding it easy. 

Whilst it has been at times a tough journey we would not change any of our experiences at all. We were chosen to take this path and it has made us stronger as a result. We have met some amazing people along the way who will no doubt be life long friends. Looking forward to keeping in touch with these folks as their journeys continue.

As mentioned we spent nearly 4 months at Ronald McDonald House and cannot thank them enough for their support over this time. We are lucky we live in a country where these facilities exist and we would hate to think what the alternative might have been were it not for them. I know I have probably said it before but our experience in the house has highlighted the importance and value of campaigns like #FeverDreams. The benefits For a family to be able to take just a few hours out from their situation and have a fun evening out should never be underestimated. 

Thanks to everyone for your support over the last few months. Much appreciated by my partner Sarah and I. Look forward to posting on here soon that we have our girl home. 

I look forward to the day when you report in that the kids are fine , the wife is happy and you have returned to work and normal life has resumed Coops. You have been through far too much over these last 4 months. I really feel for you and your wife and kids dude. Best wishes on your future.

More than happy to chip in again this year