In March this year our daughter Ella was admitted to John Radcliffe hospital in Oxford. We were lucky enough to be offered a room at the Ronald McDonald House early into our stay.

It quickly became a lifeline for us, giving us a place to go away from the ward, and somewhere to sleep when Ella was admitted to paediatric intensive care. It meant our son could come and stay with us and we could celebrate special days as a family.

When Ella was in recovery it gave us somewhere to take her for some normality away from the ward, where she could see her brother and family.

Knowing we had the RMH community provided so much support to us during what was an extremely difficult time, and we also saw how much it provides to other families in unfortunate positions.

We will be forever grateful to RMH and all of their staff.

Ronald McDonald House Charities UK provides free ‘home away from home’ accommodation to families with children having treatment in hospital. Our Houses offer much more than just a place to stay; they provide family activities, peer support, respite, and many other services. This means that families can be by their child’s bedside in a matter of moments, whilst maintaining a degree of normal life with reduced emotional and financial strain.We help over 6,000 families each year and now, more than ever, we need your support. Thank you.