On 28 May, beginning at 6am, Ashdown Radio’s Ryan Millns will take to the airwaves for an incredible 27-hour live broadcast to raise vital funds for Ronald McDonald House UK.
The special Radiothon aims to raise £20,000, with listeners encouraged to donate £10 via text to help more families stay close to their children in hospital when they need it most.
To donate, please text 70255 with the keyword RMH10 to make a donation.
Or you can donate on Ryan’s Just Giving page: www.justgiving.com/page/ryan-millns-4
The families behind the Radiothon
Throughout the broadcast, Ryan will speak with seven families who have experienced first-hand the difference Ronald McDonald House UK can make during some of life’s most challenging moments.
Listeners will also hear from a paediatric nurse, who will highlight the crucial role families play in a child’s recovery when they can stay nearby. Sally Gabriel, House Manager at Ronald McDonald House Brighton, will share insight into how the House supports families every single day.
Unity Care, a nursing agency supporting families with children who have complex medical needs, will also join the broadcast. Many of the families they work with rely on Ronald McDonald Houses during hospital stays. Unity Care has also supported fundraising efforts locally, sponsoring the Cuts for Causes campaign running throughout May at East Sussex College.
Inspired by Esme’s story
Ryan was inspired to organise the Radiothon after meeting Natalie and her daughter Esme, whose journey highlights just how essential Ronald McDonald House support can be.
Esme was diagnosed with Hirschsprung’s Disease shortly after birth. Within days, she became critically unwell, and her family were thrust into a world of hospitals, surgeries and uncertainty.
“We were suddenly thrown into a world we didn’t understand,” Natalie explains. “Our biggest fear was whether Esme was going to be okay and what her future might look like.”
Just two days after Esme was born, her family arrived at Ronald McDonald House Brighton. From that moment on, the House became a vital lifeline.
Esme spent the first five weeks of her life in the Trevor Mann Baby Unit, followed by further hospital stays in Southampton and Brighton for major surgeries and ongoing complications. Throughout it all, the Brighton House provided constant support.
“Things like doing some laundry and getting some rest became a beacon of normality,” Natalie says. “They were things we used to take for granted.”
Keeping families close
Living more than two hours from Brighton and three and a half hours from Southampton, staying near Esme without the House simply would not have been possible.
“I had no idea Ronald McDonald House UK even existed until we needed it,” says Natalie. “It’s like a club no one ever wants to join, but I’m incredibly grateful we found it.”
The House offered more than just a place to stay. It provided comfort and a sense of belonging at an incredibly difficult time.
“It didn’t feel clinical. It felt warm and safe, like somewhere we could take a breath,” she says. “It meant we could stay together as a family when everything else felt like it was falling apart.”
That sense of togetherness was especially important for Esme’s brothers, Teddy, aged eight, and Harry, aged 14.
“Having their baby sister in hospital was frightening for them, but being able to stay close helped ease their anxiety and gave them some normality.”
Being together also played a vital role in Esme’s recovery.
“Seeing her brothers lifts her mood and having us all close gave her comfort during incredibly difficult moments.”
A community that lasts
For Natalie, one of the most powerful aspects of the House was the community it created.
“You’re surrounded by other families who truly understand what you’re going through. You don’t have to explain anything. I met incredible people, and those friendships have stayed with me.”
Without the House, the family would have faced long journeys, financial strain, and the emotional toll of being separated from their daughter.
“The thought of being far away if something changed with Esme was unbearable.”
Each stay ended with a mix of gratitude and relief, but the impact of that support continues.
“Every time we’ve needed it, the House has been there, practically and emotionally. That’s something I’ll never forget.”
Giving back
Natalie is now fundraising to ensure other families can access the same support.
Through her work at East Sussex College, she has organised a series of fundraising activities taking place throughout May, including charity salon services, raffles, quiz nights and the Radiothon itself.
“For me, it’s about saying thank you and helping other families feel a little less alone.”
Supporting the Radiothon
As an independent charity, Ronald McDonald House UK relies on the generosity of local communities to keep families together during some of the hardest times in their lives.
We are incredibly grateful to Ashdown Radio and Ryan Millns for their support.
You can support the campaign by tuning in and donating £10 to help Ryan reach his £20,000 target, ensuring more families like Esme’s can stay close when it matters most.
Text 70255 with the keyword RMH10 to make a £10 donation.
Or you can donate on Ryan’s Just Giving page: www.justgiving.com/page/ryan-millns-4