Barclays’ helping parents of sick children in hospital

Ronald McDonald House Charities UK has been awarded a £100k donation from Barclays, through the Community Aid Package. The generous donation will help the Charity continue their vital work of supporting parents and critically ill children in specialist NHS hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Back in April, Barclays announced a £100m Community Aid Package to support charities that are helping people and communities most impacted by COVID-19. £10m of this funding has been donated through their 100×100 UK COVID-19 Community Relief Programme, with Ronald McDonald House Charities UK (RMHC UK), being one of 100 UK charities each receiving a donation of £100k, allowing their important work to continue.

Ronald McDonald House Charities UK was chosen by a selection committee for the meaningful work they are doing with a community of critically ill children, and their families. This community are at risk of being disproportionately affected socially and economically by COVID-19. Through the provision of free accommodation at Ronald McDonald Houses, access to free ‘home from home’ facilities and compassionate care; this donation will help the Charity deliver essential services and support to hundreds of families throughout the duration of their child’s hospitalisation.

Jon Haward, Executive Director, Ronald McDonald House Charities UK, shared:

“We are delighted to be a recipient of this incredible donation. Since the outbreak of COVID-19, the challenges and disruptions to daily life typically faced by families of seriously ill children in hospital have been further intensified. Barclays’ are providing vital funding towards the provision of free accommodation and delivery of essential services at our Ronald McDonald Houses. We thank Barclays for their wonderful generosity which will impact the lives of hundreds of families with critically ill children in specialist NHS children’s hospitals across the UK.”

Nigel Higgins, Barclays Group Chairman, said:

“COVID-19 has created an unprecedented social and economic impact in the UK, with many sadly experiencing greater hardship due to the crisis. Incredible charities, such as Ronald McDonald House Charities UK, have been playing a vital role in the UK’s response to the pandemic, ensuring urgent help reaches those most in need of support. As a bank we have been doing all we can for our customers, clients and colleagues, and we hope that our 100×100 programme and wider community aid package helps ensure that everybody in the communities in which we live and work is supported through this crisis.”

Dr Rosena Allin-Khan, Member of Parliament for Tooting and Shadow Cabinet Minister for Mental Health, commented:

“Huge congratulations to Ronald McDonald House Charities UK on securing a £100k donation and thank you to Barclays for recognising the importance of the work RMHC carries out. Ronald McDonald House Tooting does a fantastic job of providing essential services and support to enhance the wellbeing of families with critically ill children receiving treatment at St George’s Hospital. The staff never cease to amaze me and treat every family as their own. I love meeting families who come back year on year to say hello and remember how much the love and care they received at the house made their darkest days bearable.”

Lloyd Russell-Moyle, Member of Parliament for Brighton, stated:

“Fantastic news. This award is helping Ronald McDonald House Brighton continue to be a lifeline to families with seriously ill children in need of specialist care at Royal Alexandra Children’s Hospital.”