Recipient Story: The Chappell Family

Ronald McDonald House: A Home Away From Home

The Chappell family from Timaru: Paul, Ashleigh, and five-year-old Tyson had stayed at Ronald McDonald House in Christchurch before following some procedures with Tyson. Life was busy; Paul is a builder and Ashleigh a Compliance Manager, so managing fulltime work with Tyson kept them very occupied. However, at 26 weeks pregnant with their second child, Ashleigh had to be flown urgently to Christchurch Hospital by emergency helicopter following an antepartum haemorrhage.

The moment Ashleigh was rushed onto a helicopter, she knew life was about to change. She had barely caught her breath before she found herself two hours away from home, in a Christchurch hospital room, grappling with the uncertainty ahead. The hardest part? She didn’t see Tyson again for eight days.

Little did Ashleigh and Paul know that Ronald McDonald House would become their sanctuary for over two months—offering comfort, care, and an unexpected sense of belonging.

After days of uncertainty, Ryder made his entrance far earlier than expected—dramatically and without warning. “We named him Ryder which means mounted warrior or knight, and is associated with bravery, strength, and courage” Ashleigh explains. Ryder weighed just 1044 grams (2 pounds, 5 ounces) and was cared for in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). While he fought to gain strength in the NICU, the Chappells found themselves embraced by the warmth of Ronald McDonald House.

“It wasn’t just a place to sleep, it felt just like home,” Ashleigh recalls. At the end of long days in the neonatal unit, the family would return to the house where dinner was waiting—a simple act of kindness that lifted a huge weight from their shoulders. “It was so nice not to think about cooking, especially coming back from NICU late at night,” Ashleigh says.

Even Tyson, who visited on weekends, felt at home. The volunteers and staff made the house a haven for him, ensuring he had a place to play, rest, and just be a kid. Easter was particularly special. The excitement in his eyes when he opened the bedroom door to find festive surprises waiting—a moment Ashleigh will never forget.

Beyond the practical support, the house gave them something deeper: community. Fellow NICU families became more than just housemates—they became friends, sharing late-night conversations, silent nods of understanding, and the emotional rollercoaster of waiting for their babies to grow stronger.

After 69 long days, Ryder had grown stronger, and finally, the Chappells could prepare to bring their son home. And just twelve days before his original due date, they got to return to South Canterbury—this time, as a family of four.

Today, Ryder is a bubbly, thriving toddler and Ronald McDonald House remains a treasured part of their journey. Tyson still talks about it and can’t wait to show Ryder “what it’s all about” when he’s older.

The story of the Chappell family from Timaru is just one of many from our region. Last year Ronald McDonald House Charities® New Zealand (RMHC® NZ) supported 43 families from South Canterbury, each facing the challenge of having a seriously ill or injured child in hospital.

How the Aoraki Foundation helped:

The Aoraki Foundation supported Ronald McDonald House with a $5,000 grant from the South Canterbury Health Fund, with thanks to Bidwill Trust Hospital. This funding helps ensure families like the Chappell’s have a safe, welcoming space during life’s most difficult moments.