Despite many delays and emotional challenges, Tobechukwu gradually improved and was finally discharged. Now, after ten months at home, he is thriving, off oxygen, and feeding orally, which is the miracle his parents prayed for throughout his hospital stay.

We attended a routine scan when I was 23-weeks pregnant. It was during this appointment that we learned our baby had been diagnosed with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH).

CDH occurs when the diaphragm doesn’t form properly, leaving a gap between the chest and the abdomen. I initially thought that being in my second trimester, there was still time for things to develop, but the doctors explained that the diaphragm should have closed during the first trimester. We were in shock. They told us we would be referred to St George’s Hospital to see a specialist and just two days later, we met with the consultant who confirmed the diagnosis. That was the beginning of our journey.

We were given leaflets with more information and were told that there was a 50/50 chance of survival if we chose to continue with the pregnancy . We had so many questions about what it would be like to manage a child with CDH in the long term and were reassured that it could be managed with regular hospital visits and ongoing care.

We were also referred to King’s College Hospital for further testing to confirm the diagnosis. It was there that we learned about a procedure called FETO (Fetoscopic Endoluminal Tracheal Occlusion). This involved performing surgery while I was still pregnant, where a balloon would be inserted into our baby’s trachea. Due to the CDH, Tobechukwu’s organs had shifted into his chest, compressing one of his lungs and preventing it from developing properly, meaning that only one of them was growing. The surgery aimed to move the organs away from the chest to create space for the lungs to develop, significantly increasing his chances of survival after birth.

Because of the complexity of his condition, the doctors advised against delivering him at our local hospital. After the procedure, we began attending weekly check-ups at King’s College Hospital to closely monitor his progress. The FETO surgery was performed at 27 weeks, and it involved putting Tobechukwu to sleep while still in the womb. The balloon remained in place until 33 weeks and during that time, we were told that if anything went wrong, he wouldn’t be able to survive it. Once we passed that critical stage, the doctors scheduled a controlled delivery. They wanted to avoid the risks associated with going past 40 weeks, as the placenta might not have remained effective. Tobechukwu was born at 38 weeks and 4 days at St George’s Hospital, where a specialist team was ready to support him.

On the morning of Tobechukwu’s birth, the medical team broke my waters and connected a monitor directly to his head while he was still in the womb to track him. He was born on the 23 May 2024, around 3pm. The room was filled with specialists, all prepared to take immediate action. I was able to hold him for just a few seconds before he was taken away to be intubated. Ten days later, they performed a surgical procedure known as the Ladd’s procedure to reposition his organs, moving them from the chest back into the abdominal cavity and to close the gap in his diaphragm. His body was extremely swollen following the surgery, and for days he remained very still, mostly sleeping and recovering.

By July, Tobechukwu was finally off the ventilator, and we felt hopeful. He was receiving regular oxygen support, and things seemed to be improving. Like many babies with CDH, he experienced reflux, so he was given an NG tube to help deliver his milk directly to his stomach. Not long after, he was moved from the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) to the High Dependency Unit (HDU), which felt like a step forward. But soon, his oxygen saturation levels began to drop. After just a week on HDU, we received a call saying he wasn’t doing well. By the time I arrived, he was already being moved back to ICU and intubated again.

I was absolutely devastated. I had so many questions and fears. This setback meant starting treatment all over again. His condition fluctuated and he battled infections, severe reflux, and other complications. Because of the persistent reflux, he was fitted with an NJ tube, which bypasses the stomach and delivers nutrition directly to the intestines. He remained in ICU from July through October. That’s when the doctors told us we’d be in hospital much longer than we had originally expected. We had to learn how to manage his tubes ourselves, especially over weekends when consultants weren’t available. During our time in the Neonatal Unit, we spoke with other families about their experiences. We were surprised to hear that many had been there for a few months and at the time, we had no idea our journey would be so much longer.

By the end of the year, he began showing signs of improvement, and we started having conversations about possibly transferring to our local hospital. But once again, things took a turn. His condition became unstable, and the transfer had to be put on hold. As he grew, he could no longer be cared for in the neonatal unit, so we were moved to the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU). That meant we would be spending Christmas in the hospital.

Our journey began again on PICU, and everything felt different, more intense and more frightening than what we had been used to. This time, he needed a ventilating mask over his face, which he found very uncomfortable. He cried often and seemed constantly unsettled. As his condition improved, he was moved to the Paediatric Step-Down Unit (PSDU), where we began learning how to care for him at home. The dynamic shifted and now it was the nurses observing us, rather than us watching them. We had to take on more responsibility, learning how to manage his care independently.

We were given the opportunity to do an overnight stay at home to see how we would cope which went really well. We started doing more home visits, and everything was pointing towards discharge. But just as we were preparing to leave, Tobechukwu caught rhinovirus and developed sepsis again. That meant another week in hospital.

We first learned about Ronald McDonald House from our family care nurse and from the moment we arrived, it felt like a ‘home away from home’- calm, comforting, and safe. It helped ease the ache of missing our actual home. We could sleep well, cook meals, and live with a sense of normality. Everything we needed was there. The staff were incredible, always smiling, checking in, and offering reassurance. Their warmth made a huge difference. I especially looked forward to Mondays when the food deliveries arrived, it was a small joy that lifted my spirits.

We made so many friends at the House. At the beginning of this journey, we felt isolated, but being surrounded by other families going through similar experiences helped us feel less alone. The Tooting House was a lifeline and being close to the hospital meant we could respond quickly to emergencies without the exhausting commute from Crawley. Without it, we would’ve had to rent a place, constantly worrying about costs and moving around. The House gave us the stability we needed to be the best version of ourselves for our baby. Seeing other families leave gave us hope that our day would come too, even if our journey was longer than expected.

Leaving the House was emotional, it felt like moving out of a home where we had lived and grown but taking him home as a family for the first time was a beautiful moment. We’ll miss the staff and the families we met, but we left knowing we’ve formed lifelong friendships. The House is forever part of our story.

We’ve now been home for ten months, and our baby has come such a long way. He is almost two-years old, no longer on oxygen, and the NJ tube is gone. He’s thriving, starting to feed orally, making sounds, and showing us his happy personality every day.

If you’ve read our story, you’ll understand just how vital this House is. Every donation goes to a truly meaningful cause. We’re so grateful for how far we’ve come, it almost doesn’t feel real that we spent nearly a year in hospital. CDH affects one in 5,000 babies, and to any family facing this or anything else: never lose hope. We were given the option to let go, but we held onto faith. Our baby is living proof that hope matters.

We hope our story brings comfort and strength to others walking a similar path.

At 36 weeks pregnant, during an ultrasound, our local hospital discovered that Charlotte had fluid on her brain and advised us to terminate the pregnancy. We made the decision to bring Charlotte into the world, and we were referred to St George’s Hospital in London. Further scans revealed something even more serious. Alongside the fluid, Charlotte had a large tumour that had crushed one side of her brain. The doctors warned us that she could be delivered brain dead, blind, or unable to move the left side of her body.

We were given some very difficult options: palliative care or treatment involving surgeries and chemotherapy. Despite the risks, we decided to give her a chance at life. A neurosurgeon explained that Charlotte might not survive birth and that every surgery carried a huge risk, but we chose to try. A C-section was scheduled because her head was too large for a natural birth.

Charlotte survived the birth, and she was immediately taken to the neonatal intensive fare unit (NICU), and to our surprise, she moved all four limbs, defying expectations. That’s when we knew she was a fighter, and we had made the right choice. At just 24-hours old, she underwent her first surgery to insert an external ventricular drain (EVD) that would remove as much fluid as possible from her head. Over the next week, nearly three litres were drained.

At six days old, Charlotte was transferred to Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) for her second surgery which was an embolisation to cut off the tumour’s blood supply, allowing a biopsy and reducing bleeding risk during removal. That surgery was successful, and five days later, she returned to St George’s for the major tumour removal operation. At just 21 days old, Charlotte survived a seven-hour procedure, with 99% of the tumour removed. A biopsy revealed that it was a grade-two tumour and while there’s always a chance of recurrence, she currently doesn’t need chemotherapy. Charlotte will have regular scans in the future, and we hope the remaining one percent dies off naturally.

Her recovery was incredible. Within a few days of surgery, she had moved from NICU to the high dependency unit, then to special care, and soon we were preparing to go home.

Our biggest fear was leaving the hospital without our baby, and we were pleased to learn about Ronald McDonald House Tooting just two days after Charlotte’s birth. Rachel, the House Manager at the Tooting House helped provide us with accommodation, and when Charlotte needed surgery at GOSH, she ensured we had a bedroom again upon our return. We were amazed the first time we walked into the House. It was beautifully decorated, spotless, and the bedrooms were comfortable with en-suite bathrooms. The staff were so kind and supportive.

Staying at the House made an enormous difference. It allowed us to stay close to Charlotte, cook proper meals, shower, and wash clothes – things that can feel impossible when ‘living’ in a hospital. It also gave us a community of parents who understood what we were going through, and staff who genuinely cared about Charlotte’s progress. Nurses often told us how much it helped Charlotte’s recovery to have us nearby, and being just minutes away meant we could respond quickly if anything happened.

Without Ronald McDonald House Tooting, we would have faced huge costs for hotels and travel, as we live too far to commute. We stayed twice – first for four days, then for five weeks after returning from GOSH. Leaving the House was bittersweet, but we were thrilled to be going home. We’ll definitely be visiting again when Charlotte returns for scans and check-ups. One of Charlotte’s big brothers, Thomas, came with nanny to collect mummy, daddy, and Charlotte from hospital and was super excited to have all three of us coming back home.

Through every high and low, Ronald McDonald House Charities UK became a source of comfort and stability for her parents. The Evelina London House gave them a place to stay close, a place to rest and a place to breathe, while Phoebe fought for her life only a short walk away. After months in hospital, and several readmissions during later treatments, the charity remained a constant support.

Now, as Phoebe continues to grow and reach new milestones, her family carries with them a deep gratitude for the House that helped them stay together.

Our daughter Phoebe was born at 29 weeks plus two days. She arrived far earlier than expected and was very unwell. After two transfers between local hospitals, she reached Evelina London Children’s Hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at just over one week old. Her blood pressure was extremely high, and doctors quickly saw that something was wrong with her kidneys. Evelina London Children’s Hospital was the best place for her, as it has specialist kidney teams who could help.

After many tests, we learned that Phoebe had congenital nephrotic syndrome, which is a rare genetic condition that affects how the kidneys work. Alongside this diagnosis, she also had all the challenges of being born 11 weeks early. Phoebe spent four-and-a-half months in intensive care. She needed blood transfusions, several surgeries and support with breathing. She had a stoma, which is an opening made on the tummy so waste can leave the body. She also spent months on total parenteral nutrition (TPN), which means receiving nutrition through a vein when the body cannot use the stomach or bowel.

When Phoebe became more stable, she moved to the kidney ward, where she stayed for another six-and-a-half-months, with some stays in the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) in between. Phoebe was finally discharged in March 2024, aged 11 months.

We moved into Ronald McDonald House Evelina London a few nights after Phoebe arrived at the hospital. It was truly our lifeline. Parents cannot stay overnight on the intensive care unit, and once Phoebe was on the kidney ward only one parent could stay each night. Being able to stay so close to her made an enormous difference. We live more than an hour away, so the House meant we did not lose precious time travelling. When we received calls in the middle of the night, we could reach Phoebe within minutes.

My husband Adam worked in London, so the House meant he could visit us before and after work instead of facing long late-night journeys home. On weekends he stayed at the hospital, and I could rest at the House knowing I was only across the road. Without Ronald McDonald House Evelina London, we would have spent far less time together as a family.

The House was more than a place to sleep. It was a community. We met other families who understood what we were going through. We shared our worries and victories. We made friends for life. The staff were incredible, always ready to listen and support us, even on the hardest days. We celebrated birthdays, our first wedding anniversary, Christmas and Father’s Day in the House. Ronald McDonald House Charities UK always made these moments special for families like ours.

Practical support also made a huge difference. We could wash clothes, store food and cook meals. Food donations helped when we were exhausted or had no time to shop. We want to thank some of the supporters who made a real impact on us, including Greggs, who often provided lunch, and Marks & Spencer, who donated fresh bread. We are also grateful to the American Women’s Association for their homemade meals and to the Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) for donating meals like Nando’s and pizza. The Christmas and Boxing Day meals provided for families were also unforgettable. Every act of kindness helped us get through some very difficult days.

Since the end of August, we’ve been in and out (mostly in) hospital. Phoebe needed to start dialysis and haemodialysis, which resulted in her unfortunately getting a line infection, needing further treatment. She then finally ended up with peritoneal dialysis, a home-based treatment for kidney failure that uses your own abdomen lining (peritoneum) as a natural filter to clean your blood, which is better for little children. After my husband and I had two weeks of training we only went home for a few days and were back for the first kidney out and then three weeks later the second kidney out. So, we have been back to Ronald McDonald three separate times in the last four months and so very grateful to always have a place close by to stay.

We know we will be back at Ronald McDonald House again in the New Year, when Phoebe receives a kidney transplant from her dad. Ronald McDonald House Charities UK continues to make life so much easier for us. Anyone who sponsors a room at Ronald McDonald House Evelina London should know how much it matters. We’ve always left the House feeling supported, cared for and deeply grateful.

As their world shifted, Ronald McDonald House Charities UK became their anchor. The charity kept Kat, Alastair, baby Rupert and Teddy together on the hardest nights, including Christmas spent in hospital. The House offered warmth, stability and a place to breathe while Teddy faced chemotherapy, stem cell transplants, radiotherapy and immunotherapy.

Now, approaching two years off treatment, Teddy continues to face lasting health challenges with remarkable courage. His family look back with deep gratitude for the charity that held them close when life felt most fragile.

When I was on maternity leave with Rupert, I started taking Teddy to our GP. He just didn’t seem himself. Over the next few months, he kept getting ill. It looked like stomach bugs and viruses, but no one else in the family caught them. He wasn’t getting better.

By the time he was three, he had one infection after another. Chest infections. Ear infections. Tonsillitis. In June, he began complaining of tummy pain. Within days it became severe. We took him to A&E, but we were sent home with antibiotics.

Finally, we were offered an ultrasound, after which, everything changed. Doctors found a 12-cm mass on Teddy’s kidney. More tests were needed. As his mum, I knew something was wrong. I had felt it for months. You never want your child to be seriously ill, but you also want answers. When they found the mass, I knew it was serious. I just didn’t expect cancer.

That day, I broke down in the hospital corridor. I knew I had to take Rupert home, but I couldn’t bear to leave Teddy. A nurse came over and told me about Ronald McDonald House Brighton. A place where families could stay close to their child in hospital. In that moment, it felt like a weight lifted off my shoulders. I didn’t have to leave my three-year-old alone in hospital.

We stayed that night. The House gave us a cot for Rupert. I felt relieved knowing I was only one floor above Teddy. Otherwise, I would have been at home, far away, worrying about him every minute.

Soon after, Teddy had a series of scans. In July, he was diagnosed with high-risk neuroblastoma, a rare cancer that starts in nerve tissue. We were told he had a 40% chance of survival.

Teddy was transferred from Brighton to the Royal Marsden Hospital in London for treatment. He faced an 18-month plan, six rounds of chemotherapy, two stem cell transplants, 20 sessions of radiotherapy and six months of immunotherapy. It was so much for a tiny little body to go through.

Christmas 2022 was our first Christmas as a family of four, but we spent it apart. One of us stayed with Teddy while he underwent his stem cell transplant. The other stayed with Rupert in a nearby flat. On Christmas Eve, Teddy took a turn for the worse and developed a lung infection. He was transferred by ambulance to St George’s Hospital in London.  At the time Rupert had a cold, so he was unable to visit Teddy on the ward. It was heartbreaking.   

Eighteen months after diagnosis, Teddy was nearing the end of treatment. He was due to finish his sixth and final round of immunotherapy at the Royal Marsden. But on 23 December 2023, he fell ill again and was admitted to our local hospital in Brighton. Christmas was not going to be the family celebration we had hoped for.

On Christmas Eve, we were given a room at Ronald McDonald House Brighton again. It meant one of us could stay on the ward with Teddy, while the other stayed in the House with Rupert. On Christmas Day, we were all able to be by Teddy’s bedside. He had a stocking waiting for him, Father Christmas visited, and the nurses made the day as special as possible.

Back at the House, there was a Christmas buffet, presents for both boys, and a chance to rest. Rupert watched Christmas TV while we took a breath. Being together on Christmas Day meant everything.

Even after treatment ended in January 2024, Teddy still needed regular hospital admissions as his immune system was very weak. He also had a central line, which meant any fever required a hospital stay. Sometimes we were back every two or three weeks.

Earlier this year, Teddy travelled to the United States for a maintenance treatment, recently approved by the Food and Drug Administration. It wasn’t available in Europe. We had to fund the travel ourselves, but thankfully the trial drug was free. We stayed at the Ronald McDonald House Central Pennsylvania. It was huge, with multiple kitchens and play areas for the boys. We couldn’t believe it.

Teddy is now nearly two years off treatment. He currently has no evidence of disease. But he faces lasting health challenges from the harsh treatments that saved him. He has kidney disease, permanent hearing loss, chronic nerve pain and long-term gastrointestinal issues. Chemotherapy and radiotherapy are powerful treatments. They can also cause lifelong complications.

Time at home is now precious. We are finally learning what life looks like as a family of four, without rushing between hospitals. Rupert was so young when everything began. It feels like we are only just finding our feet.

Many people don’t realise what Ronald McDonald House Charities UK does, or what families go through when a child becomes seriously ill. Often, children need specialist treatment far from home and families face huge challenges. The House gave us a place to cook, to do laundry and to breathe. During short stays, we used a Day Pass so Teddy could play and eat his favourite foods at the House. It became a lifeline for our family.

At Christmas, the House meant we could stay together and that was priceless. Nothing mattered more than being by Teddy’s side.

We will always be grateful for the support of Ronald McDonald House Charities UK. The Brighton House became our safe place when our world fell apart. It kept our family together when we needed it most.

During this time, his parents, Lianne and Simon, stayed at both Ronald McDonald House Camberwell and Ronald McDonald House Evelina London. The charity kept them close to Harry during long hospital stays, including over Christmas and the summer holidays. Their older children, George and Maisie, also found comfort and support at the House. The family has shared their story to help raise awareness for Ronald McDonald House Charities UK.

When our son, Harry, was born in July 2023, we knew he would have a difficult start. At our 20-week scan, we were told he had congenital heart disease, which meant his heart had not developed in the usual way. We later learned he also had several other serious conditions. It was a lot to take in. When Lianne went into labour, we were taken to St Thomas’. Harry was born by C-section and struggled to breathe. Hearing his first cry felt like a miracle.

He was taken straight to intensive care. Lianne was recovering on another ward. Unlike the other new parents around us, we couldn’t be with our newborn. Instead, Harry lay in paediatric intensive care, an entirely different ward, surrounded by dedicated medical professionals but without his mum and dad.

A staff member told us about Ronald McDonald House Charities UK, and that same day we were offered a room at the Evelina London House. Walking inside for the first time, we felt safe. It was calm, welcoming, and warm. Most of all, it meant we could stay close to Harry. Instead of travelling three hours each day, we were just a short walk away. That peace of mind meant everything. After 10 days, Harry was discharged to our local hospital. We hoped life would become more stable. But three months later, everything changed when Harry became very unwell.

Doctors told us Harry had liver disease. He was moved to King’s College Hospital, London, for urgent surgery. Once again, Ronald McDonald House Charities UK stepped in. We stayed at the Camberwell House, only minutes away. On days when we did not yet have a room, I travelled back and forth on the train, exhausted and anxious. Those journeys made me understand just how important the Houses are. They are not only places to sleep. They are places to rest, to breathe and to feel human again. They give families precious stability at the hardest moments. 

As Christmas approached, we hoped to celebrate at home. Instead, Harry’s condition worsened, and he was taken to the Evelina London Children’s Hospital and placed in a medically induced coma. We arrived late at night and were welcomed back into the Evelina London House with kindness and care. On Christmas morning, we opened our door to find gifts for George and Maisie, as well as a hamper for us. Staff who could have been at home with their own families had given up their day to make ours special. There was Christmas dinner and laughter. For a short time, we felt like a family again.

Harry became unwell again on Boxing Day, beginning weeks of infections. In mid-January he finally had open-heart surgery. Waiting for those five hours was agonising. Our room at the House became our safe place. We played cards, did laundry, and tried to stay calm. The House staff always found ways to bring moments of joy. There were Easter egg hunts, Mother’s Day treats and Angie’s “Waffle Wednesdays”. Carly made sure the kids could feed the parakeets and squirrels in the park. Sue, who had been a heart parent herself, always knew what to say. Richard and Kelly were endlessly supportive. They became like family.

After 135 days, Harry finally came home. Months later, we planned our first holiday as a reunited family. But on the first day, Harry became unwell and was admitted to Sheffield Children’s Hospital. There was no Ronald McDonald House nearby. The distance from him was painful. When he was transferred back to the Evelina, we were given a room again, and we stayed there through the school summer holidays. George and Maisie loved being at the House. They made friends, played games, and found freedom in a place where everyone understood what they were going through.

One highlight was celebrating the charity’s 35th birthday. The day was full of activities for the children and seeing George and Maisie smile meant so much. Another special moment was taking part in a film with the former professional footballer Jack Wilshere, who understood our journey through his own daughter’s health challenges. Our son George, who loves football, was thrilled to meet him, and have a kickabout. For us, it was a way to give back and help other families learn about the charity’s work. We wanted to say thank you for everything they had done for us.

Earlier this year, Harry became unwell again while we were visiting family. I stayed in a hotel with our older children while Lianne remained in hospital. Those 14 days apart reminded us how important the Houses are. Being close to your child is something no parent should lose. Before all of this, we only knew the charity from the collection boxes at McDonald’s. We had no idea how vital their support would become. Now, we tell everyone about the difference they make.

To everyone who supports Ronald McDonald House Charities UK, thank you. Your kindness keeps families close during the hardest days of their lives. It means a mother can rest. A father can stay nearby. A child can have both parents by their side. Please continue to support the charity in any way you can. Every act of generosity helps a family like ours. The past 18 months have been incredibly difficult, but the charity, Richard and the team made them just a little easier. And for that, we will be forever grateful.

During this traumatic time, the family could rely on Ronald McDonald House Manchester to provide a sanctuary – a place surrounded by love and support during this challenging period. Ronald McDonald House Charities UK was a true lifeline for Gabriella and Ricardo throughout the first four months of Thalles’ life.

Throughout my pregnancy, I was told I had a healthy baby, and scans showed no signs of complications. So, to be told when Thalles was born that his airways would collapse whenever he tried to breathe on his own, was devastating. Thalles was diagnosed with tracheomalacia – a medical condition in which the windpipe is weak and collapses, particularly during exhalation, causing breathing difficulties. As a result, he underwent countless procedures and operations within his first few weeks of life. Those months were filled with long days, sleepless nights, and constant worry, but we never left his side.

We felt completely out of control. We had to place our baby in the hands of nurses and doctors we had only just met, trusting them to do what they knew best. It left us feeling extremely vulnerable, having to rely on others to care for the most precious gift of our lives. Throughout every setback and sleepless night, we held on to hope, surrounded by the love and support of our family, church, the medical team, and the staff at Ronald McDonald House Manchester.

Within the first few days of our neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) stay, we were told we could use the facilities at Ronald McDonald House – a place for us to stay during Thalles’ time in hospital. It came as such a relief to know that a place like this existed for families like ours. When we first stepped into the House, we instantly felt a sense of safety, care, and relief, as though the weight we had been carrying was suddenly lifted. We were able to step away from the constant beeping of monitors and we could shower, eat, rest, and simply breathe. It provided a space for us to recharge so we could return to our baby with renewed strength and peace.

Spending the Christmas period visiting our baby in hospital was especially hard – a time that should have been filled with joy and celebration instead became one of worry and uncertainty. Nevertheless, the Ronald McDonald House made this period in our lives that bit easier. We had so many special moments in the House, but one I’ll never forget was waking up on Christmas morning to find gifts waiting at our doorstep, a delicious Christmas dinner, games, and an overall sense of togetherness that we deeply needed.

Beyond that, the simple joy of coming back from a long day in the NICU to a warm meal, a quiet space, and kind faces who genuinely cared meant the world to us. The House became more than accommodation; it truly felt like a ‘home away from home’. We were surrounded by so many families in similar situations to our own – we shared stories, tears, and hope. Those connections reminded us that we were never alone.

Being at the Ronald McDonald House had such a positive impact on our family. It allowed us to stay close to our son in the NICU and be there for him at any moment if anything changed. We had everything we needed during this time under one roof – a comfortable room, laundry facilities, meals, and, most importantly, emotional support. We were welcomed into a community that was there to lift us up. The staff were incredibly kind and understanding, and the other families truly felt like our extended family. The House gave us stability, comfort, and connection when life felt so uncertain.

Without the Ronald McDonald House, I honestly don’t know what we would have done. We live far from the hospital, so travelling back and forth every day would have been exhausting and costly. We probably would’ve taken turns sleeping in waiting rooms just to be close to our baby. Having a room at the House lifted that heavy weight off our shoulders. It gave us rest, comfort, and the chance to focus fully on our son’s recovery. We stayed there for four months, from November to March. Those months became such a big part of our journey.

Leaving was emotional. We were overjoyed to finally take our baby home, but it was hard to say goodbye to a place that had held us so closely. The staff and other families had become like family to us. My advice to others is to take each day as it comes and give yourself grace. Lean on those around you and never lose hope. For anyone thinking of donating to Ronald McDonald House Charities – please do. Your support gives families like ours a home, hope, and the strength to keep going.

Jacob was born in February 2024. He arrived prematurely at just 28 weeks, and was delivered via emergency C-section at St Helier Hospital, Surrey. When Jacob was 11 days old, his breathing deteriorated, prompting an urgent transfer to St George’s Hospital, London, via an emergency ambulance. Upon arrival, Jacob required ventilatory support and a high concentration of oxygen. His condition was critical, with dangerously high CO2 levels and collapsed lungs. For the following week, Jacob and the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) consultants fought tirelessly to save his life.

The first couple of weeks were incredibly frightening and difficult for everyone involved. Jacob did not respond well to the standard types of respiratory support typically offered and on at least two occasions, we were told he might not make it. We had a private christening at his bedside, just the two of us parents and the grandparents (it’s hard to look back at the photos now), as we prayed desperately that the treatments they tried would make a difference.

One consultant, to whom we owe everything, decided to try Jacob on a breathing system called Neurally Adjusted Ventilatory Assist (NAVA), which gives babies more control over their breathing than traditional ventilation methods.

Over the following weeks, the NICU staff battled to manage Jacob’s oxygen levels, at times requiring up to 100%. I vividly remember the long hours spent by his bedside, praying that he would be okay. The sound of alarms signalling that he needed more oxygen will haunt me forever. The constant fear that there would be nothing more we could do for him was overwhelming. It felt like a cruel game – desperately trying to reduce his oxygen by just one percent, only for it to spike back up in an instant.

Skin-to-skin time was always difficult for me, as Jacob’s oxygen levels would shoot up whenever we tried to cuddle. I loved being able to hold him, but I was equally terrified. Josh and I spent countless hours by Jacob’s incubator, never wanting to leave him. We wanted to be with him every moment, not knowing how much time we had left. We read stories to him, held his tiny hand as he slept, and spoke to the other families around us. We shared in their joy as their little ones got better and moved on, but we also felt jealous, knowing that our journey would be longer and filled with more struggles than theirs.

Jumping ahead to 15 May 2024, a day that will be forever etched into my memory, we found Jacob looking incredibly sick and on 100% supplemental oxygen. On this day, Jacob’s lead consultant stood by his ventilator, closely monitoring the screen and making adjustments until there were no more changes to be made. We had difficult conversations about what would happen if Jacob’s oxygen saturations began to drop.

It was every parent’s worst nightmare, seeing the sadness in everyone’s eyes, knowing that they feared this might be Jacob’s last day or his final few days. The sympathy in people’s expressions was impossible to miss. At that point, we asked if we could stay on the ward and put in a referral for Ronald McDonald House Tooting. Until then, we hadn’t considered ourselves to be the ‘most in need’ of a room, since we were only 30-40 minutes away. But at that moment, all we wanted was to be able to run to Jacob in just a few minutes, should anything happen.

We had seen information about Ronald McDonald House Charities UK displayed in the parents’ room and we attended an information session hosted by a member of the House team. It was there that we learned about the Day Pass, which we used a couple of times before finally receiving a room. We spent five nights sleeping on the ward before a bedroom became available at the House.

We were amazed by how homely the House felt, such a stark contrast to the hospital. I loved the decorations that had been thoughtfully put up, as well as the information booklets and photos of other families who had stayed there over the years. It gave us a sense of comfort and connection, knowing we weren’t alone in our journey.

By some miracle, and thanks to the amazing dedication of the night nurses, Jacob made it through the night, and his oxygen requirements began to decrease. We will be forever grateful to the nurses in the room that night, as well as the day nurses who checked in on him at the end of their shifts and kept in touch with their colleagues overnight.

After seven months, Jacob moved to the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) which was incredibly scary for us. It was a new environment, with new ways of working and a whole new team of professionals. He had a rough start in PICU, as he adjusted to his new ventilator, but with time, he began to thrive. In early January 2025, at 11 months old, Jacob’s oxygen flow was gradually weaned, and at this point we were finally able to take him out in his buggy for the first time, a moment I had always dreamed of. I’d watched many other mums have this experience and wondered if I would ever get to share it. I was incredibly nervous, but I was equally amazed and deeply grateful for that precious moment.

Just before his birthday, Jacob made his first trip to Ronald McDonald House Tooting, where House Manager Rachel greeted us with a warm smile and made sure we had a safe space with a blanket for Jacob to play on. It was the first time we truly felt like a ‘normal’ family, away from the constant presence of medical professionals. We are incredibly grateful to Rachel and the entire team at the House for making this possible. The team had even created a beautiful birthday balloon arch for Jacob, which was fantastic. We felt so special, and Jacob loved waving the personalised flag that had been made just for him.

We also loved all the different decorations celebrating special occasions like Christmas and Halloween and opening our Christmas hamper, filled with generously donated presents, was such a thoughtful touch. Connecting with other families in the kitchen area became a special part of our day, where we could share our experiences and offer or receive support when needed. Grabbing a quick, free coffee on the way into the hospital also gave us that little extra boost to start each day.

On 9 February 2025, Jacob celebrated his first birthday surrounded by family and the nurses who had cared for him, many of whom made him a card and brought presents for him to open. Jacob even visited the NICU ward, where the nurses made him, and us feel incredibly special. Despite everything Jacob has had to overcome with his breathing, he remains a joyful, giggly little boy who continues to amaze everyone with his resilience. He’s working hard on his head control and sitting up with support. He’s developed his own ways of communicating and has mummy completely wrapped around his little finger. Jacob has a big personality and isn’t shy about letting us know what he wants and what he doesn’t!

As you can imagine from our journey, we had many concerns over the course of the 13 months. One of the biggest worries was leaving Jacob each evening and not being close enough if he needed us. Ronald McDonald House played a huge role in alleviating that concern and being less than five minutes away made a world of difference, easing our anxieties about leaving him. It also meant we could get more rest and sleep, as we no longer had to spend time traveling back and forth from home.

If we hadn’t been able to get a room at the House, we would have initially had to self-fund hotel stays, which would have been a significant financial burden. After that, we would have had to return to traveling from home to the hospital, which would have taken a toll on my already fragile mental health. The constant anxiety of being far away and the reduced amount of sleep would have made it even harder to cope during such a challenging time.

Being so close to Jacob made a huge difference in his recovery as it allowed us to spend more time with him, making him smile and entertaining him, giving him even more reasons to keep fighting. We also became experts in his care. In PICU, we gained the confidence to adjust his breathing support when necessary and learned how to maximise its effectiveness, ensuring that he received the best care possible.

Staying at Ronald McDonald House Tooting had a positive impact on our family by allowing us to get extra rest during the day and at night, so we were more refreshed when seeing Jacob and being close to him reduced our anxiety. We are grateful for the support we received from other families going through similar journeys and for the welcoming nature of the staff who made us feel cared for throughout our stay.

On 24 March 2025, after 13-and-a-half months in hospital, we were discharged home. Jacob came home with a high level of needs and supervision but currently we have support overnight. Whilst coming home was long awaited and longed for, it was also daunting. No nurses over by the computer or doctors on standby. We were now the ‘nurses’ and responsible for making quick decisions and making sure all Jacob’s care needs are met. It took a couple of weeks to settle in at home, but we slowly got into a routine and Jacob started to thrive. He loves to be taken out in the pram, playing with his toys, and spending time with his grandparents. He has seen fish at the garden centre for the first time and recently attended his first (very small) play session for children with complex needs.

It’s now November 2025 and Jacob is off oxygen completely during the day, with use of his BIPAP ventilator reserved for overnight. He has come off half of the medications he returned home with. We continue to work with St George’s Long Term Ventilation Team with regards to lowering his BIPAP pressures overnight. Day to day, Jacob is fully engaged in activities and has loved exploring a range of farms and play spaces over the summer months.

On Friday 7 March 2025, Adam was involved in a serious road traffic collision. Having been knocked down by a car as a pedestrian, he was intubated at the scene and was rushed to the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital Major Trauma Unit by the North West Air Ambulance. His injuries included a severe head injury, fractures to his pelvis, a lung contusion, and facial wounds. I was told about his accident by one of his friends, who was kindly driven to our house by a member of the public.  The relentless banging on the front door is a sound I will never forget.

Adam’s condition was serious and time critical, so our main concern was getting him to hospital quickly.  Unfortunately, Adam’s little brother Ayaan unavoidably had to attend the scene of the accident and was taken by his grandparents to their home for the night. Over the following few hours, it began to dawn on us how far from home we were (13 miles) and how likely it was that Ayaan would be with his grandparents for more than just one night. It would ,in fact, turn out to be three months.

Initially, we were given a room in the hospital while Adam was on the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). While it did the job and we were very grateful, it was quite basic for our needs. Spending all our time at Adam’s bedside, we used that room to just grab a couple of hours’ sleep here and there.

The nurses on the ward told us about Ronald McDonald House Manchester and asked if we would like to be referred to get a bedroom, and in all honesty, I didn’t want to make a fuss at the time. The hospital accommodation we had been provided with was fine, and I didn’t want to take a bedroom from somebody that might have needed it more.

After a couple of days, we made the trip home to see Ayaan and get some fresh clothes. Although we didn’t live hundreds of miles away, with the traffic, a quick trip home could take hours and would make me feel extremely anxious to get back to the hospital.

The turning point for us came the day that the consultant showed us images from Adam’s brain scan. His prognosis was bleak, with the surgeons confirming that their options were limited, and a long road of rehabilitation lay ahead – not weeks, but months, perhaps even years. They discussed moving Adam to another ward, and this is when I felt panic start to set in. With Adam was no longer under the care of the PICU ward, we would lose our hospital room. Thankfully, the nurses sprang into action and soon after we were told a room was available at Ronald McDonald House Manchester.

As we arrived at the House, we were greeted by one of the lovely House Assistants who took us on a tour and showed us to our bedroom – we were overcome with a mixture of emotions.  We couldn’t believe that we had access to such amazing facilities, it really was a ‘home away from home’. They had literally thought of everything a family would need – you name it, they’ve got it.

We just kept saying to ourselves: “is this all of this is for us to use?”. We managed to keep it together until we were handed our key card and left alone in our bedroom.  Then the tears came. Whilst the House was amazing, we also couldn’t believe that it had come to this, and we were leaving our home and ‘moving in’. I remember asking the House Assistant how long we could stay, and I remember her saying: “as long as Adam is in hospital.” I asked: “even if it’s months… if it’s a year?” and she replied: “yes.”

Not having to spend time travelling back and forth, deciding who would stay with Adam at his side and who would go home each day, definitely had a positive impact on Adam’s recovery and on our own mental health. Removing the stress of constant travelling, traffic, and parking took a huge weight off our shoulders. Having a place where we could rest, recharge, and freshen up, knowing that we were only across the road from the ward, meant that we were able to relax and come back ready to fight another day.

Having the bedroom at the Manchester House meant that Adam’s little brother, Ayaan, could come and spend weekends and school holidays with us. The team at the Manchester House always had activities and events to keep the children entertained. Ayaan loved the football activities with Manchester City in the Community, and the special parties for occasions like Easter.

Ayaan especially loved to be there to play in the big garden. We had some warm, sunny weather during our stay and the garden was a lovely place to relax away from the hospital ward. It was even better when Adam was feeling well enough and the doctors gave permission, we were able to take him over to the House using their Medical Pass programme, to enjoy the garden too.

I remember on the morning of Mother’s Day, I was so caught up with Adam and his treatment that I hadn’t even realised what day it was. This is where the House goes the extra mile for families. I opened our bedroom door and found a Mother’s Day card and personalised gift on the doorstep. I felt so special in that moment, and to look down the corridor seeing all the little bags outside everyone’s door just melted my heart.

Thinking about our situation, if we hadn’t had Ronald McDonald House Manchester to support us and provided us with the amazing accommodation, life would’ve been very difficult. It doesn’t bear thinking about that we would have had to leave Adam alone in his hospital bed every night – especially in those early days when he was unable to communicate. Staying at the House meant that we could be present for every mealtime, shower, doctor’s appointment, physio session – all his treatments and recovery. Adam never had to face anything alone, and for that I will be forever grateful to Ronald McDonald House Charities UK.

Our stay at the House lasted for three months and leaving was really emotional. We were all looking forward to going home and back to our lives, but we were also apprehensive about leaving the safety, security, and what had become a familiar bubble of the hospital and the House.

If any family finds themselves suddenly in a situation like ours, with a child unexpectedly in hospital, ask the hospital team if there’s a Ronald McDonald House nearby. Not only is there the opportunity to have a bedroom and a supportive place to stay, but they can also even give you a space to take time away from the hospital with their Day Pass programme. You can use the facilities to relax and recharge – even if it’s just for the day, you will feel better for it. Remember to make time for yourself, easier said than done, I know…  you can’t pour from an empty cup.

We cannot thank Ronald McDonald House Charities UK enough for all that they’ve done for us during the worst time of our lives.

The hospital saved Adam’s life. The Manchester House saved ours.

I had several episodes of reduced movements, and following a routine scan, the doctors found fluid around Matilda’s abdomen. As nobody could quite pin-point where it was coming from, I underwent an amniocentesis and various other scans to rule out any significant genetic problems.

The day I gave birth, I had reduced movements again and this time the team at Royal Preston Hospital scanned me for around 20 minutes and Matilda wasn’t moving at all – at this point I was told she needed to be delivered right away.

I gave birth to Matilda later that afternoon, five weeks early, via emergency c-section in Preston, weighing 6lbs exactly. As soon as she was born, she was whisked away to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and immediately put on BiPAP (a type of non-invasive ventilation that helps with breathing). Not being able to hold or even see my little girl was very upsetting but I knew she was in the best possible hands with a big team of doctors and nurses supporting her.

Matilda’s stomach was very distended, and we were informed by doctors that she would need exploratory surgery to find out exactly what was happening. This meant that Matilda would need to be transferred to Saint Mary’s Hospital in Manchester for specialist treatment. Joe travelled over to Manchester with Matilda in an ambulance, whilst I stayed in Preston as I was too unwell to be transferred at the time.

At only 10 hours old, Matilda underwent an emergency exploratory laparotomy (open abdominal surgery) to investigate further and find out where the fluid around her abdomen was coming from. Surgeons discovered that her intestines covered in meconium (a newborn’s first fecal matter), and she also had sepsis so was very unwell.

They couldn’t find the hole in Matilda’s bowel, and she was becoming increasingly unstable, so the surgical team decided to give her antibiotics and let her recover for a few days before returning to theatre. After two days, she had further surgery and they managed to locate the hole in her bowel and repair it. To allow the section of bowel to heal, they created a stoma.

Later that week, results came back from her newborn heel prick test which indicated that Matilda had cystic fibrosis. We were both in shock. Nobody in either of our families had lived with this condition and we immediately began to worry about what type of future she would have with this life-limiting condition. The team at Saint Mary’s were simply amazing and reassuring, answering all our questions and helping us overcome some of our fears.

During our time on the NICU ward, we were told about Ronald McDonald House Manchester by one of the lovely nurses, who explained the process of applying for a bedroom and helped to make the whole process very simple under such stressful conditions. We were referred to them straight away and shortly after we were so pleased to be offered a bedroom, following the few sleepless nights we had on the NICU ward.

We had been really concerned about where we would stay, once I had been discharged from hospital, looking at potentially staying at hotels or a local Airbnb which would have drastically affected our finances.  As a worst-case scenario, we would have had to do a 136-mile round-trip every day to be by Matilda’s side. I was so worried about who would be looking after my little girl and how often we would get to see her without somewhere to stay close by.

I remember when we first walked into Ronald McDonald House Manchester, I felt calm for the first time in over a week. The House was beautiful, clean and welcoming. The staff were so wonderful and took the time to show us around with a tour, even though it was quite late at night. We were so pleased to hear that we could stay for as long as we needed whilst Matilda was recovering at the hospital. The feeling of finally having somewhere safe and comfortable to sleep at night, as well as being able to shower and have some time to relax as a couple away from the alarms and beeps in NICU, was incredible – we felt beyond grateful to this wonderful charity.

Over the course of the next three months during, Matilda had to overcome bowel blockages and issues with weight gain. Every week she seemed to be making progress and then something would happen which would set her a few steps back.

What eased some of the struggles was the House, knowing we were never far from Matilda’s bedside. It was the best feeling in the world. Ronald McDonald House Manchester offered us a safe sanctuary to come to terms with Matilda’s condition and gain some much-needed rest in the evenings. Being with Matilda as much as possible was our number one priority; the fact that we were so close meant that we could get to her bedside within a matter of minutes.

We eventually left the Manchester House to return home with Matilda just before Christmas 2024 and everywhere was beautifully decorated with lots of festive activities for the families staying. One of my standout memories was when we received a set of Christmas bedding to get us in the festive spirit – this was a lovely gesture and really made us smile. I was really excited to be going home and settle into our new family routine together, but at the same time, we would miss the friends we’d made along the way.

If anyone ever finds themselves in a sudden and unexpected situation with a child in hospital, we would advise them to see if there is a Ronald McDonald House nearby. Having their support and a place to stay close by alleviated some of the stress that we found ourselves in. It was so nice to have somewhere to call home for the three months we remained in hospital. We would encourage anyone to donate to this incredible charity, and we will definitely be taking part in some fundraising to give back, in the not-so-distant future.

When I was pregnant with my second son, Tobias, we found out at our 20-week scan that there could be complications. After that, I had weekly monitoring scans, and my medical team tried to rule out as many medical conditions as possible, but they were still unsure if our baby would be born with any issues.

Tobias arrived via c-section at 36 weeks, weighing a tiny 4lb 8oz. As he entered the world, he initially cried, but within less than a minute he suddenly stopped breathing. Tobias had to be transferred immediately to Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital for an emergency tracheostomy.

The following day, I was also transferred to Manchester and could finally see my baby properly for the first time. Tobias remained in hospital and at six weeks old, he was diagnosed with moebius syndrome, an extremely rare neurological disorder characterised by weakening or paralysis of the muscles in the face which control expression and lateral eye movements.

I was in denial about our situation for a long time. There was so much to take in and adapt to. All I could do was try to be as present as I could for Tobias. I found myself having to learn lots of new medical terminology, understanding what different machines did, and how to monitor the number displays and bleeping sounds – it was a lot. Not only did I have to be there for Tobias, but I was also trying to care for my other child, Isaac, who was only four years old at the time.

I found myself terrified to leave my poorly baby each night in the hands of ‘strangers’, but as the weeks and months passed, my concerns started to ease. Tobias began to stabilise, and we started to form amazing relationships with the incredible nurses on the ward.

It was a wonderful nurse at the hospital who provided us with information about Ronald McDonald House Manchester, a place where we could stay together as a family and remain close to Tobias. Early on in our hospital journey, a referral was made, when I’d shared my feelings of leaving my baby in hospital after I was discharged.

I remember the impression I got walking into the Manchester House for the first time – kindness. Coming over from the hospital environment with its many sounds and people, in comparison, it felt like such a calm haven. We were met with kindness from the start, greeted by the friendly and supportive House team who gave us a tour and showed us our bedroom – a place we’d call ‘home’ for the next nine months.

Having a place to call our own, just across the road from Tobias, allowed us to remain together as a family. It was so good for Isaac to have a special and familiar place, where he could retreat to with one of us, when the ward became too much for him. The space allowed him to play, have fun, and be a child, which was so important given the traumatic time our family was going through.

Being so close to Tobias allowed us to maximise our time with him, managing a routine of being with him from the first thing in the morning, until the last thing at night. I was able to run over, countless times during the night, and be by his side for emergencies and procedures, and to support and advocate for him when he needed me most.

We’ve stayed at the Manchester House three times now; initially for nine months from 2022 until 2023, then we returned later in 2023 for a shorter stay, and we did another nine months from 2024 until earlier this year. Our second long stay enabled me to keep my newborn baby Chester with me while his big brother Toby was back in hospital. We all received so much support from the staff; they were always there, whether it was to listen to me rant about my worries at the end of a full-on day in hospital, or to simply stick the kettle on and make us laugh. My favourite memory from our time spent at Ronald McDonald House, was Christmas 2022. We worked hard with our medical training, so that Toby was finally granted some home leave and a Medical Pass and was able to come over to the Ronald McDonald House just in time to meet Santa with his brother.

Ronald McDonald House Manchester will always be such a special place for us as a family. It’s the home my youngest son Chester lived in for his whole first year of life. We had many birthdays and celebrations at Ronald McDonald House, that the kids will remember forever. We love you guys!

Without the House, I don’t know how we would have managed as a family. I would’ve been in the position of having to choose between my children. The travel would have been completely unmanageable, especially as I don’t drive; it doesn’t bare thinking about. To anyone who’s ever donated to Ronald McDonald House Charities UK – thank you! This charity saved us as a family, allowing us to be close to our baby when we needed it most. I don’t think I could ever put into words just how grateful we are.

Leaving the House always evokes a mixture of emotions, as you leave new friends behind – both the amazing staff and other parents going through similar struggles. But the excitement of a discharge and being able to get home with Tobias is just brilliant, and his brothers can go to sleep at night knowing we’re all together under the same roof. It’s an emotional rollercoaster, that’s for sure!

My advice to any other family on a similar journey is to breathe! Take one step at a time. Make time for fresh air and plenty of coffee! And make use of all the amazing facilities at Ronald McDonald House – it really does make such a difference.