Supporters take to the skies to raise vital funds

Without the support of our amazing volunteers, fundraisers, and donors, we wouldn’t be able to do the important work we do across the UK, to help keep families close to their sick child in hospital. Among our incredible supporters, we have dedicated superstars, who take on amazing challenges to fundraise for our Charity.

The annual Ronald McDonald House Charities UK Skydive Weekend has fast become a staple fundraising event. With locations scattered across the UK, jumpers can enjoy the adrenaline rush or maybe conquer a fear, as they skydive from 14,000 feet to raise vital funds for families with a child in hospital.

This year, more than 135 jumpers signed up at seven locations across the UK with sponsorship exceeding more than £72,000!

Mum-of-four Vicky Rowley, from East Sussex, decided to fundraise for Ronald McDonald House Charities UK after staying at our Camberwell and Evelina London Houses, respectively, when two of her children required specialist medical treatments at London hospitals. Vicky’s daughter, Lillie, underwent surgery at the age of just six, for a satsuma-sized brain tumour, and her son Harry was born with multiple medical conditions.

The support provided by the Houses gave her much-needed comfort and helped her cope during uncertain times when Lillie and Harry stayed in hospital.

On Saturday 13 July 2024, Vicky faced a fear by completing her first ever skydive and successfully smashed her target of £500, reaching more than £700! You can read Lillie and Harry’s story on our website here.

Director of Youth Football & Club Development at Harborough Town Football Club, Maz Hayton, was inspired to take part in many of the Charity’s challenge events through a connection with a McDonald’s Franchisee sponsor at her club.

After researching about Ronald McDonald Charities UK and seeing a feature about the Charity on TV, Maz planned her first visit to Ronald McDonald House Birmingham in July 2023 to see the facilities available for families and meet the House team who support them every day. From that moment, Maz was determined to be a supporter of the Charity and began to piece together plans to fundraise.

On Sunday 14 July, Maz took to the skies and completed her skydive for the Charity raising an incredible £1,295! This is just the first step for Maz’s fundraising, with ambitions plans to complete up to seven more challenge events, including abseiling down a waterfall in Africa.

Not only are our skydivers incredibly brave for taking on the challenge, they’re also an inspiration to others. Their courage and dedication motivated a number of our own Charity employees and their loved ones join in with the skydive event over the same July weekend.

Our Brighton House Manager Sally Gabriel cheered on her dad, Chris, who successfully completed his jump, raising an amazing total of £1,620. Southampton House Maintenance Colin Richardson’s wife Joanne successfully completed the challenge and in Lancaster, Community Fundraiser Jordan Best did a parachute jump raising money for our Mac House appeal.

Still yet to take on their skydives, after bad weather unfortunately thwarted their attempts, are Southampton House Assistant Lauren Hayward who has already raised £1,000 and Birmingham House Assistant Sharon Davies has raised more than £2,300 so far. Both have rescheduled their skydives for September and we wish them the best of luck!