In a show of community spirit, BIG4 Adventure Whitsunday Resort’s annual “Camp and Scare” raised AU$15,008.87 for Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) North Australia. The Halloween-themed family event, booked up to two years in advance, transformed the resort into a festive setting where families gathered to participate in a weekend of activities for a good cause.
The event offers families the chance to camp under the stars or stay in comfortable cabins, combining outdoor recreation with charitable giving. Proceeds from Friday night campsite bookings and gold coin donations from weekend activities were directed to RMHC North Australia, supporting services for families with seriously ill children.
Families enjoyed a packed schedule of entertainment, including a monster pancake breakfast, outdoor disco, and sausage sizzle. Younger guests took part in activities like witches brew slushies, spooky sand art, and freaky biscuit decorating, while the Trick or Treat experience remained a highlight of the weekend.
Guests also competed in contests for the best campsite, cabin decorations, and costumes. Creative displays and costumes turned the resort into a Halloween wonderland, showcasing the enthusiastic participation of families.
Beyond Halloween-themed activities, guests had access to the resort’s facilities, including a water park, animal park feeding sessions, and Halloween-themed movies at the outdoor cinema.
The funds raised will support RMHC services in the Paediatric Wards of Mackay Base Hospital, including the Ronald McDonald Family Room and the RMHC Hospitality Cart, as well as the Ronald McDonald House in Townsville.
In 2023, RMHC supported more than 2,200 families from this region alone. The Mackay Family Room offered comfort to 1,350 families, 240 families used the sleep rooms, and 25 local students received assistance through the Ronald McDonald Learning Program.
“A huge thank you to the team at BIG4 Adventure Whitsunday Resort for choosing Ronald McDonald House Charities North Australia as the Camp and Scare fundraising beneficiary,” said Samantha Baker, community engagement executive for RMHC North Australia. “Without this kind of support, we wouldn’t be able to offer the facilities we have in Mackay, as well as the Ronald McDonald House in Townsville.”
“This is the 20th year that we have held Camp and Scare, with this particular event now being a key component in our annual community charity program,” said BIG4 Adventure Whitsunday Resort CEO Phil Casey, as reported by Whitsunday News.
