Dyldam Parramatta Eels players Tim Mannah, Danny Wicks and Luke Kelly, Eels ambassadors Jay Huxley, Andy Raymond and Simon Pryce along with acting CEO John Boulous and Board Member Andrew Cordwell assisted in the Ronald McDonald House, Westmead "Meals from the Heart" program late last month.
The 'Meals From The Heart' program at Ronald McDonald House, Westmead provides a much-needed service to families who are supporting their sick children and whom often don't have the time, funds or energy to prepare a healthy, home-cooked meal.
Belinda Woolford from Ronald McDonald House Westmead expressed her gratitude for having the Eels family down at the house.
“It’s always good to have Eels, staff, everybody here,” Woolford said.
“The kids love it the families love it and so do the staff.”
“The food is absolutely unbelievable, we’ve got not much left I don’t think” she added.
“The families have definitely taken advantage of it, it’s probably one of the best meals we’ve had here.”
Eels Ambassador and former Masterchef Australia contestant Jay Huxley thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
Eels skipper Tim Mannah along with Danny Wicks and Luke Kelly threw their support behind the program, assisting Huxley with cooking and serving over 100 meals.
“The staff have been fantastic, the guys living here have been awesome. I have been having a chat with lots of them,” Huxley said.
“Of course the players coming along to help has been a really great experience all over.”
“Believe it or not, Danny (Wicks) was actually the best, even with his one arm, he put the best effort in for sure,” Huxley added when quizzed about which player was the best cook.
Huxley is also excited about his role as an Eels Ambassador.
“I’m just looking forward to supporting the Eels and working with you guys on whatever you’ve got coming up,” he said.
“I’ve been an Eels fan since I was born so it’s great to be involved with the club.”
Eels Captain Tim Mannah relished having another opportunity to assist at Ronald McDonald House, Westmead.
“As players we just love coming here,” Mannah said.
“It’s just a really good place to come and chill and just hang out with guys who are going through some treatment and going through some tough times as families.”
“Every time we come here they just make us feel so welcome and it’s a very warm feeling here.” Mannah added.
Eels Ambassador and red Wiggle Steve Pryce was also amongst the action, which Woolford said was exciting for everyone at the house.
“It was very exciting! The kids, once they realised who he was out of his red skivvy, they were all very excited and they definitely flocked over to him to see him,” she said.
Ronald McDonald House, Westmead are in the process of raising funding to build a new house, and after a recent telethon, have made great progress.
“Everything is going fantastic,” Woolford said.
“We’re so far at 22 million dollars so we’ve still got about 8 million to go.”
“We’re definitely doing a lot of work towards that, but definitely well on our way to building our fantastic new house here.” She added.
In 2015, Ronald McDonald House, Westmead open it’s doors to all corporate, community and social groups on Monday, Wednesday and Friday evenings to take part in ‘Meals from the Heart’, making their house a home.
