Help keep families together this Christmas
When a child is seriously ill, their family should only have one job, being there. But when treatment takes a family far from home, simply staying close can come with overwhelming practical and financial pressures. The Patient Family Accommodation Program gives families a safe place to stay close to hospital, at no cost – so they can focus on what matters most: their child.
Keeping sick kids and families together when it matters most.
This Christmas, hundreds of children will be in hospital receiving treatment for serious illness or injury. For families who have travelled long distances for care, finding somewhere affordable to stay nearby can add even more stress and can mean being separated when they need each other most.
Your gift this Christmas can help provide children and their families with vital, practical support – including safe accommodation close to hospital.
Donate today and help sick kids and their families stay together through some of their toughest moments.
When a child needs hospital care, families can face more than the worry of treatment.
318
The number of families who will need overnight stays for cancer treatment across The Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network each year.
$687
The average indirect costs per hospital admission for families, including travel, accommodation, meals, lost work time and sibling care.
190
The average kilometres travelled by families for care at Sydney Children’s Hospital, Randwick.
30
The number of families per month who will have a child in ICU and need emergency accommodation.
Meet Eve
At nine years old, Eve was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer. She and her mum had to leave their home in Coffs Harbour and relocate to Sydney while Eve underwent 14 months of intensive treatment – leaving her dad and three siblings almost six hours away.
Eve’s life became a continuous cycle of days in hospital and nights in temporary accommodation. When she was admitted, her mum slept on a fold-out hospital couch. When she was discharged, they often didn’t know whether accommodation nearby would be available until just hours before they needed it. The uncertainty and cost added even more stress and kept the family apart when they needed one another most.
Today, Eve is studying in Melbourne and travelling the world. But she still remembers how difficult it was to be separated from her family throughout treatment.
Your gift can help give families facing a similar journey a safe, secure place to stay close to hospital, free of charge.
FAQs
Where do donations to SCHF go?
Sydney Children’s Hospitals Foundation (SCHF) is one of Australia’s largest and most trusted kids’ health charities – and one of the largest hospital foundations in the world.
As the exclusive fundraising partner of the Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network, we support a comprehensive network of care that includes:
- Sydney Children’s Hospital, Randwick
- The Children’s Hospital at Westmead
- Bear Cottage
- Newborn and paediatric Emergency Transport Service (NETS)
- Kids Research
Whether it’s funding new equipment, specialist training, ground-breaking research or building state-of-the-art facilities, the money raised through SCHF is changing the future for sick kids.
Are my donations tax deductible?
Yes, all donations to a registered Deductible Gifts Recipients (DGR) are tax deductible.
How does SCHF keep my personal information safe?
At Sydney Children’s Hospitals Foundation, your privacy is very important to us. We keep your information safe by storing it securely, limiting access to authorised staff, and only using it for purposes you’ve agreed to—such as processing donations or sharing updates.
We also make sure any partners we work with follow strict privacy and security standards. When your information is no longer needed, we take steps to destroy or de-identify it unless the law requires us to keep it.
You can read more in our Privacy Policy or call us on 1800 770 122 if you have any questions.
I’m not able to financially contribute right now, are there other ways I can support SCHF?
Absolutely. Your time, voice and network make a real difference. If donating isn’t on the cards right now, you can still help – volunteer a few hours, share your story or use your socials to amplify SCHF’s message.
How do I get in touch with someone regarding a recent donation?
If you have a query about a recent donation, please email info@schf.org.au. Alternatively, you can call us on 1800 770 122 and one of our friendly Supporter Care team members will be able to assist.