04/06/2026
When baby Eddie arrived prematurely and was admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Christchurch Hospital, his mum Leska suddenly found herself away from home in Mt Somers, navigating the challenges and uncertainty that come with having a newborn in intensive care.
During their stay at Ronald McDonald House in Christchurch, Leska was able to remain close by while Eddie received the specialist care he needed. This week, they reached a milestone worth celebrating – Eddie is now fully breastfed, no longer needs a feeding tube, and the pair have been discharged home.
Before leaving, Eddie's mum shared these heartfelt words with our team:
"I can't begin to explain how grateful we are for the help you provided during an extremely difficult time. Not only for the accommodation and meals, but for just how amazing each and every one of the staff are. You are all so caring and kind, making difficult days more bearable, always cheering us on and lending an ear when I needed to talk."
She also reflected on the role the House played in their journey:
"Our stay with you will always be part of our journey that I can look back on with fondness, because you truly made us feel at home."
For families with a child in hospital, having a place to stay close to their child can make all the difference. Thanks to the support of our community, families like Eddie's can focus on what matters most: being together through every step of the journey.
Congratulations to Eddie and his mum on this wonderful milestone. We are so happy to hear you're both home and thriving! ❤️