Ronald McDonald House Charities

Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) has committed to raise the total funds needed to build the new Ronald McDonald House at Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital, providing families with free accommodation whilst their children stay overnight on the wards.

In January planning permission for the House was granted, meaning work on the 16th Ronald McDonald House in the UK, will begin later in the year.  The House will have 60 bedrooms, each with a telephone directly linked to the hospital ward. Knowing they can have direct contact with the ward should an emergency arise at any time of the day or night gives families peace of mind and helps them to relax.

Ronald McDonald House Charities is an independent, registered Charity that was established in 1989 to provide free 'home away from home' accommodation for families with children in hospital and hospices across the UK, helping to keep family units together and encouraging families to support one another through what can be an emotionally challenging time.

The charity has achieved a lot in the last 20 years.  Fourteen Ronald McDonald Houses have been built which, along with 29 sets of Ronald McDonald Family Rooms, provide over 400 bedrooms every single night of the year.

RMHC is currently raising £1.5 million to furnish and equip the new Ronald McDonald House and the ongoing running costs, which will be in the region of £500k each year.

Annette Patmore who stayed in a Ronald McDonald House when her three month old daughter was rushed into hospital says: "Words can't express what it meant for us to stay at the Ronald McDonald House when Sophie became ill. It was not just a place to sleep, but somewhere to have a break and gather thoughts at the end of a long, stressful day. I can’t imagine how stressful it would have been without the House. It made all the difference."

If you feel you would like to help support Ronald McDonald House Manchester or need further information, please contact Anna Bullock, Regional Fundraiser on 0161 253 4118 or anna.bullock@rmhc.org.uk
Link to website - http://www.rmhc.org.uk/

The 371-bedded hospital has been designed so that all departments are close to the equipment and support that they need.