Ex Arsenal and England Midfielder Jack Wilshere met with families staying at Ronald McDonald House Evelina to help celebrate the charity’s 35th anniversary with parents and children staying at the free ‘home away from home’ accommodation.
Jack Wilshere met with families who are currently staying at the Evelina House whilst their children are undergoing treatment. Having been through a similar experience with his daughter Siena, who required open heart surgery at just five years old for a congenital heart defect, Jack was moved and felt inspired by the courageous children and their families.
Ronald McDonald Houses provide free accommodation to families across the UK and abroad, giving them the chance to remain close to their child whilst they are in hospital. The location of these Houses means that families can be by their child’s bedside in a matter of moments and maintain a degree of normality during very difficult times. McDonald’s is the charity’s biggest supporter, celebrating having raised over £100m for the charity since 1989 and helping many thousands of families.
Jack Wilshere sat down with the Hubbard family to hear about their son Harry’s story and their experience staying at Evelina London House.
The Hubbard family are from Aldershot and parents Lianne and Simon have three children. At their youngest child’s Harry’s 20 week scan, it was discovered that he had a complicated congenital heart defect which meant that he will need to have surgery within the first few days/months of his life with extended stays in hospital. The Hubbard family stayed at Ronald McDonald House Evelina for six months earlier this year and have recently come back to stay at Evelina after their first night of their holiday ended in A&E.
The Evelina Ronald McDonald House charity was a haven during what was a very difficult time for the family, from providing support and essentials and relief during Christmas. The Hubbard family were given accommodation nearby, meaning they could be at the hospital when they needed to be but also had a comfortable place to be nearby where they could use the outdoor play centre, playroom and enjoy activities.
Jack Wilshere said: “When Siena was in hospital, one of the toughest things was managing the expectations of my other children and trying to support them as well as Siena. As a parent, I understand how difficult it can be for these families, so having somewhere like Evelina London House is a huge help. To have that support and community where other parents are going through similar things is so important and anything I can do to try and help raise awareness of fundraising, I will. It was lovely meeting the parents and seeing the kids have fun, they are so grateful to have the Evelina London House. It’s amazing to see how the McDonald’s fundraising efforts are impacting the lives of so many families during the hardest moments of their lives.”
Celebratory birthday parties are taking place all over the UK, with each of the 14 Ronald McDonald Houses enjoying their own fun-filled occasion supported by the generosity of their local McDonald’s restaurant and crew.
Ronald McDonald House Charities UK relies on the generosity of supporters and fundraisers, including McDonald’s customers, without whom it would be unable to continue its vital work.
You can help fundraise for the Charity in restaurant via donation boxes at the tills, rounding up your order at the kiosks as well as via the McDonald’s App.
And for a limited time only, a NEW strawberry-flavoured Birthday Cake Donut has joined the McCafe® menu, with 20p from the sale of each donut donated to Ronald McDonald House Charities UK.
