What’s happening?
Ronald McDonald House Charities South East Queensland (RMHC SEQ) is now taking applications for the 2025 Charlie Bell Scholarship. The annual program awards $5,000 to young people aged 15 to 20 whose schooling has been disrupted by illness or injury, helping them prepare for university, TAFE, or vocational studies in 2026.
Applicants can use the funds for tuition fees, apprenticeship tools, or study materials. Staying at a Ronald McDonald House is not a requirement for eligibility. Applications close on 30 November 2025.
Why it matters
The scholarship helps young people turn health setbacks into motivation, offering them the financial support to continue education or training.
Local impact
In 2024, recipient Erin Formann demonstrated the program’s impact. Facing rare health conditions and personal loss, she was unable to attend school consistently. Despite this, she pursued her dream career in healthcare.
“I was determined to overcome my health obstacles, and it has shaped me into becoming a more empathetic and determined individual,” Erin said. With the scholarship, she began her Certificate III in Pathology and purchased scrubs for her training.
By the numbers
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$5,000 available to each successful applicant.
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15–20 years old is the eligible age group.
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30 November 2025 marks the closing date.
Zoom in
Emma Thompson, CEO of RMHC SEQ, said, “Every year we meet young people who have overcome extraordinary adversity and are determined to reach their goals. The Charlie Bell Scholarship is about giving them the support they need to turn their experiences into motivation, and their dreams into reality.”
Zoom out
RMHC SEQ delivers essential services, including accommodation for families with sick or injured children, ensuring they remain together through treatment.
What to look for next?
Applications will be accepted until 30 November 2025, with recipients announced soon after.
