The Bone Marrow Cancer Trust’s volunteers bring that extra special “something” to an already extraordinary organisation that helps over 5,000 patients and their families each year.
The Trust’s Rānui House & Apartments in central Christchurch is the largest provider of patient accommodation in the South Island. It’s 80 apartments offer a home-away-from-home for families from around New Zealand who must travel to Christchurch for often intense, life-changing medical treatment. Some stay for one night, others for over 200.
There’s a unique mission, culture and community that lies at the heart of “Rānui”.
It’s where positivity, supportive care and genuine acts of kindness come together and are in action every day. Behind this is a small, dedicated core team and 24 regular volunteers who go the extra mile to create a sense of connectedness and home for families who are far from home.
“Rānui vollies give in ways that goes beyond the day-to-day. They’re the lifeblood of Rānui. We simply couldn’t create the home away from home in the way that we do, without people generously gifting their time to support us,” says Mandy Kennedy, Bone Marrow Cancer Trust CEO.
“Our vollies very special bunch with such great attitudes, and we appreciate them all so much. They bring practical skills but they deliver those with warmth and connection at a time when our Rānui families are going through some of the toughest times in their lives.”
It’s this generosity of spirit fostered throughout the organisation which forms a special sense of belonging – or ‘Rānui magic’ – that families so often speak about when they reflect on their stay. And it is also why so many Rānui vollies are loyal and longstanding – after all, who wouldn’t want some Rānui magic in your life!
A volunteer programme like no other
The Bone Marrow Cancer Trust launched its volunteer programme in early 2023 – recognising both the growing need for support by the families coming to stay at Rānui, and the willingness of the Rānui community to step forward and generously gift their time.
“Our intention was to strengthen the experience we provided to families, to create meaningful ways for people to contribute to our mission and to support and complement the work of our staff team,” explains Mandy.
Since then the impact of the volunteer contributions on the organisation has been significant.
Volunteers are now woven throughout Rānui. In 2025 this resulted in over 4,900 hours of time being gifted by Rānui’s volunteers across the organisation – from front of house to housekeeping duties, home-baking, hosting family afternoon teas, gardening, delivering pet therapy visits, craft workshops and turning up to cook bbqs or sell raffle tickets at Trust fundraising events such as the Annual Charity Golf Day.
For vollie Robyn Henderson, giving her time is a very sweet gig. A clinical nurse at Burwood Hospital, every Friday Robyn can be found in the Rānui kitchen where she’s found a new calling – baking!
“I’d never considered myself to be a baker – ever!” she laughs. “But in the spirit of giving anything a go, I’m now whipping up yummy treats to fill the tins for Rānui families each week. It actually fills my cup knowing something as simple as home-baking a batch of shortbread can bring a bit of comfort and show care to others. It’s pretty humbling.”
Several regular programmes are thanks to volunteers from the wider community.
Meals from the Heart is a shared meal cooked each week by volunteer teams from corporate businesses, clubs, friends or local neighbourhood groups for the families staying at Rānui. This not only brings people together around a delicious meal, it fosters rapport between the families and team spirit between the cooks.
Bone Marrow Cancer Trust Ambassador, Josh Komen, has lived experience of Rānui during several years of undergoing his own treatments at Christchurch Hospital. He now volunteers his time to deliver Rānui Recovery, a special programme designed to help support Rānui patients and their families with their own medical journey. And the need for this has never been greater.
The power of giving back
Volunteering is a two-way relationship – something that’s acknowledged by all the Rānui vollies. They say they actually gain from contributing to something bigger than themselves and the reward is the satisfaction of knowing you’ve helped others. It’s given them a new appreciation for life and belonging.
“That’s the Rānui magic coming fully circle,” says Mandy.
“I really do think there is something powerful about people choosing to give their time freely without expectation of material reward. That generosity flows through everything they do and is something families at Rānui notice and tell us they value deeply.”
“Our vollies enhance the everyday experience for Ranui families and deepens the sense of community around them. Whether it’s baking, cleaning, gardening, manning the front desk or just having an everyday chat – our vollies go about their tasks with purpose and care. And I’m pretty proud of them for that!”
Judy Ward, a seasoned life-long volunteer and now a loyal Rānui vollie, agrees.
“At Rānui, I know that whatever small task I’m doing it’s making a difference to someone going through a tough time. And it’s always acknowledged and appreciated.
“I feel everyone who works at Rānui has real pride in the place and together we’re all focussed on the most important thing – doing good for the Rānui families. For me that’s the real reward for giving of my time, and I’m really proud to be part of making Rānui the extraordinary place it is.”
So, what makes a Rānui volunteer?
“A great Rānui volunteer is someone who shows up with kindness and a genuine desire to contribute in whatever way they can,” says Mandy.
“Skills are helpful in some roles, but what matters most is attitude. It’s the willingness to give, to care and to be part of something bigger than themselves that really defines a great volunteer at Rānui – and we have plenty of them!”
Longstanding and dedicated vollies – Robyn Henderson, Margot Toon, Judy Ward and Graham Colley – all contribute in their own ways to making Rānui a home-away-from-home.
Each brings rich life and career experiences to their varied volunteer role, but they all share a willingness to give back in meaningful ways – no matter how small or pragmatic the task.
A strong culture of appreciation, social connection and Ranui magic brings them back each week, enabling each vollie to give of themselves freely – and in some cases in ways they never imagined possible with new skills acquired and new friends made. It’s a pretty magic recipe for success.
