For Busselton mother Cassandra Laura, Ronald McDonald House Charities WA meant the world while her son Ethan underwent 10 months of cancer treatment.
When Ethan was diagnosed with a brain tumor in 2007, Ms Laura and her husband gave up their jobs so they could be with their son in Perth.
Being able to stay at Ronald McDonald House not only took away the financial strain for their family, it also helped relieve the emotional and physical stress.
The house gives regional WA families who have a sick child receiving hospital treatment in Perth a home away from home by keeping them close by.
"The house was amazing it had a big family unit, there were other families with children who were also sick, it allowed us to comfort and be there for each other," she said.
"Exhausted from being at the hospital all day, you would get back to the house and there would be meals ready to eat with other like minded parents
"In so many ways, it took a lot of pressure off of us. At night we had a bed where we could sleep, somewhere to park our car which was safe and was walking distance to the hospital.
"Most importantly, we could spend time with our son, it was great.
"Without the house I do not know how we would have coped, we just had to rest our head on a pillow and came home to loving arms when you were feeling shattered."
Ethan now aged 15 years has spent time since then fundraising for Ronald McDonald House Charities WA and is aiming to take part Ride for Sick Kids WA once he turns 18.
Once old enough, Ethan will ride alongside Busselton McDonald's owner John Frankham who currently is preparing to take on his eighth consecutive Ride for Sick Kids WA.
Since 2012, Mr Frankham has cycled to raise more than $25,000 for families living in regional areas with a seriously sick or injured child.
Mr Frankham will start his 387 kilometre journey in Kalamunda on Saturday, May 4 and travel to Perth across four days, finishing on Tuesday, May 7 with the group hoping to raise $240,000 for RMHC WA.
Mr Frankham said the ride was something he wanted to participate in every year because it helped families of sick children in regional WA.
"This year we have 20 riders who will jump on a bike, our determination is to ensure children have their family with them while they are recovering from treatments," he said.
"Nothing can explain how appreciative families are, they get a chance for their child to recover with them there and as a parent they can be there for their child.
"I rarely jump on a bike but this is a very special occasion and I certainly jump on a bike for this."
This year, Mr Frankham has set a personal goal to raise $6,000 for the charity. Residents wishing to support him can purchase a Helping Bike from participating McDonald's restaurants state-wide or make a donation by visiting rfskwa.raisely.com/johnfrankham.
