Porirua football fans are being encouraged to head to Sky Stadium this Saturday, March 14, for the Wellington Phoenix Match For Good double-header, with the men’s team kicking off at 3pm and the women’s team playing at 6pm.
Both Phoenix teams will wear special jerseys designed by children and siblings staying at Ronald McDonald Houses across New Zealand, with the match raising funds for Ronald McDonald House Charities New Zealand.
The bespoke kits feature drawings created by the children, including butterflies, hearts and personal artwork incorporated directly into the jersey design.
The annual Match For Good supports Ronald McDonald House Charities, which provides accommodation and wraparound support for families who must travel for their children’s hospital treatment.
For Wellington family Jordan and Ashleigh Slaughter, the cause carries deep personal meaning.
Their daughter Layla was diagnosed with aggressive infant leukaemia at just four months old last year. Within hours of the diagnosis she was airlifted from Wellington to Christchurch to begin urgent treatment.
Over the following months Layla underwent intensive chemotherapy, multiple surgeries and treatment for infections while spending time in hospitals in Christchurch and Auckland.
During that time the Slaughter family stayed at Ronald McDonald Houses so they could remain close to Layla while she received care.
“Ronald McDonald House became our second home,” Ashleigh Slaughter said.
“Having somewhere close to hospital, meals provided, and a space where Bailey could play lifted an enormous burden. When everything else felt out of control, that support meant everything.”
The charity also helped provide stability for Layla’s older sister Bailey during months of treatment away from home.
The family has since returned home to Wellington together.
Alongside the match, McDonald’s New Zealand will match every donation made to Ronald McDonald House Charities through restaurant kiosks and Drive-Thru between March 9 and March 15.
If you want, I can also tighten this further so it reads more like a proper local sports brief (about 150–200 words), which is often what community papers run for event previews like this.