Six-figure donation to support families of critically ill children
By Lizzie May
A charity has received a £100,000 donation from a national bank that will go towards their vital work of supporting parents and critically ill children.
Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) have received the cash injection from Barclays to help with the free accommodation ‘Houses’ they hold in Tooting, Camberwell and Southbank.
In April last year, Barclays announced a £100M aid package to support charities helping communities most impacted by the pandemic, with RMHC being one of the UK charities receiving a donation.
The houses are a ‘home away from home’ to ensure a child in hospital has their family close, and those families have the ability to be actively involved in their child’s care.
MP for Tooting and Shadow Cabinet Minister for Mental Health, Dr Rosena Allin-Khan said: “The Tooting House does a fantastic job of providing essential services and support to enhance the wellbeing of families and critically ill children.
“The staff never cease to amaze me and treat every family as their own.
“Families come back year on year to say hello to staff and remember how much the love and care they received at the house, made their darkest days bearable.”
Jon Haward, Executive Director of RMHC said: “The challenges and disruptions to daily life typically faced by families of seriously ill children in hospital have been further intensified by Covid-19.
“The wonderful generosity of the donation will impact the lives of so many in specialist NHS children’s hospitals across the UK.”
In April last year, Barclays announced a £100M aid package to support charities helping communities most impacted by the pandemic, with RMHC being one of the UK charities receiving a donation of £100k.
They were chosen by a select committee for the work they do to help a community of sick children and their families by providing free facilities and care.
Nigel Higgins, Barclays Group Chairman said: “Ronald McDonald House Charities have been playing a vital role in ensuring urgent help reaches those most in need of support.”
Pictured: Karen and Ian Waterworth who stayed in the Tooting House in 2017 with siblings James (L) and Ryan (R) while their other son Josh was in hospital.
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