Opened in 1993, independent charity Ronald McDonald House has provided accommodation for more than 37,000 families of young patients at Liverpool’s Alder Hey Hospital
Independent Liverpool charity Ronald McDonald House has provided vital accommodation for more than 32,000 families with critically ill children at Alder Hey Hospital since 1993.
Now, as it gets ready to celebrate its 25th anniversary on May 7, the facility is inviting families past and present who have stayed in the house to come together and join staff for a celebratory afternoon tea party in the gardens.
Since it opened Ronald McDonald House has expanded twice and can now accommodate up to 84 families at one time, offering practical and emotional support as well as sibling group activities and group meals each week.
Known fondly as ‘Mac House’, it was given the Royal seal of approval by The Duchess of Cambridge, who visited in 2012 and met with resident families and staff.
The house costs £600,000 a year to run, and relies totally on donations. A donation of £25 will pay for one night in one of the 69 bedrooms while £40 covers the cost of a night in one of the 15 apartments.
On average, a family stay at Mac House is usually 17 days. Doors are open to families 365 days a year, and rooms are given to families free of charge, to relieve them of any financial worries while their child is in hospital.
Refreshments for the party will be provided by the Marriott Hotel in Liverpool and activities for children will run across the afternoon.
Fundraising manager at Ronald McDonald House, Gillian Wilson, said: “We are looking forward to welcoming our families back to Mac House, and have a lovely afternoon planned.
“We are hoping that it will give families a chance to reunite with other families and staff they may have met during their stay with us.
“It’s also a good opportunity for us to raise awareness of the charity. As an independent charity, our main source of income is through fundraising and donations and we have a lot of families depending on us.”