Ronald McDonald House Charities UK helps families with children in hospital stay close to their loved ones by providing free accommodation just minutes from children’s hospital wards.

But the Houses provide so much more than a place to stay. They offer stability, comfort and emotional support, helping parents and carers remain close and be active partners in their child’s care.

Demand for this support remains incredibly high, which is why sustained funding is so important — helping keep Houses running day to day, supporting families when they need it most, and allowing the charity to reach even more families.

This year, our Community Engagement Manager, Rosemary, joined colleagues from our group at Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital in Crumlin, where we had the privilege of preparing a home-cooked meal for families staying at the House.

Seeing the state-of-the-art facilities, speaking with the incredible people who run this wonderful service, and meeting families using it really brought home just how vulnerable you can feel when your little one becomes seriously ill and recovery doesn’t follow the normal timelines.

The support provided makes such a difference. Families have beautiful rooms with direct connections to the children’s ward, meals are provided to help reduce the financial pressure for parents who may have had to take time away from work, and activities are available for siblings so that they too can feel included during what can be an incredibly difficult time.

For Rosemary, after 21 years with McDonald’s, this was truly one of the most rewarding experiences of her career.

As Ray Kroc, McDonald’s founder, said:

“ We have an obligation to give back to the community that gives so much to us.”

We’re proud to support Ronald McDonald House Charities UK and the incredible work they do for families when they need it most. ❤️