Staying close through every hospital stay
For our family, hospital stays have become a part of life.
Our four-year-old son has Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) Type 1, and since 2021 we have experienced multiple lengthy hospital admissions, including several stays in intensive care. When your child is seriously ill, nothing matters more than being by their side.
That is why Ronald McDonald House UK has become such an important part of our family’s journey.
Since 2021, we have stayed in Ronald McDonald House accommodation seven times. We stayed at Ronald McDonald House Bristol once and Ronald McDonald House Oxford six times. Having a place to stay close to the hospital meant we could remain near our son throughout some of the most challenging periods of our lives.
Being together when it mattered most
When your child is in hospital for weeks at a time, every day can feel uncertain.
There were times when our son needed intensive care and long admissions, and being able to stay nearby made an enormous difference. It meant we could be there for important medical updates, difficult moments, and the small signs of progress that kept us going.
Without Ronald McDonald House UK, it would have been much harder to stay close to him. The emotional and financial pressures of travelling long distances or finding accommodation during extended hospital stays would have added another layer of stress at a time when we were already facing so much.
Instead, we could focus on what mattered most: being there for our son and staying together as a family.
A place of comfort and support
The practical support Ronald McDonald House UK provides is invaluable, but for us it was also about having a place that offered comfort and stability during incredibly difficult times.
When your child is seriously ill, the world can feel overwhelming. Knowing we had somewhere safe and welcoming to return to each day helped us cope with the uncertainty of hospital life.
Having accommodation close to the hospital meant one less thing to worry about. Rather than thinking about where we would stay or how we would manage the extra costs, we could put all our energy into supporting our son.
Those things may sound simple, but when you are living through one of the hardest experiences a family can face, they make a huge difference.
Taking on the 79 Mile Mission
The support we have received from Ronald McDonald House UK inspired me to sign up to the 79 Mile Mission.
I wanted to give something back to a charity that has helped our family so many times. Taking part in the challenge felt like a meaningful way to say thank you while raising awareness and funds to help other families who may find themselves in similar circumstances.
I am completing my 79 miles through a combination of walking and running. It is a challenge that allows me to stay active while supporting a cause that means so much to our family.
My family is right behind me. They have experienced firsthand the difference Ronald McDonald House UK has made to our lives, so they understand exactly why this challenge is important.
Helping other families stay close
Taking part in the 79 Mile Mission has given me the opportunity to reflect on everything our family has been through and the support we have received along the way.
I would encourage anyone to get involved because the difference Ronald McDonald House UK makes to families is enormous. When your child is seriously ill, being able to stay close to them is something you simply cannot put a price on.
Ronald McDonald House UK provides comfort, stability and support when families need it most. Every mile completed and every donation made helps ensure another family can stay close to their child during an incredibly difficult time.
Our family will always be grateful for the support we received. Knowing we could stay near our son when he needed us most made all the difference.
If you’ve been inspired to fundraise for Ronald McDonald House UK, why not get in touch with our fundraising team?