Our story starts when at 23 weeks and 6 days pregnant, I experienced some bleeding in the early evening. Having had an uneventful pregnancy up to this point, my gut feeling was that the baby was fine but that I should probably get checked out. 

Upon examination, it was identified that I was dilated - time was now critical. The doctors and midwives worked frantically around me in an effort to pause labour and do everything to save our unborn child. 

I was emergency evacuated to Townsville University Hospital and at 4 o'clock that morning, it was confirmed my labour had stopped for the time being and my baby was safe.

My husband Tommy drove over 700km to Townsville to be by my side, where we both willed our darling boy to stay inside as long as possible.

While I was admitted to the maternity ward, we never thought about where Tommy would stay. Thankfully, hospital social workers put us in touch with Ronald McDonald House. It was a quick 4-minute walk from the maternity ward and we were told we could stay as long as he needed.

My waters broke just a few days later. I called Tommy to let him know I was being taken to theatre and within about 30 seconds he appeared by my side. Had he not been so close by in the Ronald McDonald house, he potentially would have missed the birth of our son who was born at 2:22 am weighing a tiny 700g at 24 weeks 3 days gestation.

Having had nothing to do with Ronald McDonald House previously, we honestly never knew what an incredible charity this is. Being able to stay so close to our son in hospital, as well as have our daughter stay with us in our own private room was something we will be forever thankful for.

In times of need, family is what keeps you going and the motto of "keeping families close" is so powerful and important when you are going through an extremely traumatic time. Leaving Ronald McDonald House was such a bittersweet moment for us. This place had become our home and the staff had become our second family.

You can't go through something like that without being forever changed and having your eyes opened up to the incredible work this charity does. Accommodation is the last thing on your mind when you are in the midst of a crisis. Without this amazing organisation, the burden of finding somewhere safe to stay with your family is completely lifted.

It's a gift that, unless you have experienced it yourself, is priceless. Thank you Ronald McDonald House Charities - we will be forever grateful for your hospitality, warmth and generosity during a truly trying time for our family. - Fiona and Tom McBryde

In the event that we have received enough funds for initiatives on this page, your donation will go where it's needed most, supporting our seriously ill children and their families.