AQUIS Gold Coast Titans front rower Jarrod Wallace has successfully initiated and run a ‘Food &Essentials Drive” for Ronald McDonald House.
The hard working forward instigated the project, recruiting fellow players and encouraging the broader Gold Coast community to donate a wide range of products aimed at providing guests at Ronald McDonald house with a more comfortable stay.
“Food and long-life stuff, just anything that can be put in the cupboards and the fridges, toiletries and all of that kind of stuff, just for people who obviously don’t have time to pack a bag sometimes, they are straight on a plane or straight in an ambulance, so whatever the community and boys can donate, which they have already it’s awesome.”
From baby wipes, to cans of Milo, canned goods, spreads and toiletries, the local community were quick to embrace Jarrod’s community initiative with the AQUIS Gold Coast titans Community team inundated with hundreds of items.
While he doesn’t have a direct connection to Ronald McDonald House, Jarrod had identified their efforts in both Brisbane and here on the Gold Coast and felt a need to assist in some small way.
“I just think they do a really good job, they are straight across from the hospital and what they do for the people across Brisbane and obviously here on the Gold Coast is awesome.”
“We conducted a food drive to try and help them out, they do so much for the community and the people that need help the most and I’m just happy that I can make a difference by donating a few hours of my time.
And now he’s encouraging athletes from all codes and disciplines to do the same, saying that the difference they can make through providing just a few hours of their time is significant with the benefits passed directly onto those who need it the most.
“I encourage all NRL players and just athletes in general to get amongst it because it makes the job much easier for the team at Ronald McDonald House and puts a massive smile on the kids’ faces which is the best part about it.”
Wallace like his Titans team mates is looking forward to this weekend’s Round 2 encounter against Newcastle, keen to avenge the club’s disappointing start to the season.
