Ronald McDonald House

 We spent a Thursday morning at The Ronald McDonald  

House in Southampton.  In Max’s words “It was amazing!”

 It was a fantastic opportunity for us to see how the charity

chosen by us works and the difference the house makes to

people’s lives. We found out that the house supports

families who have children who are been looked after by

Southampton General Hospital and The Princess Anne

Hospital. We saw first-hand how having a ‘home’ right

next door to their children makes a difficult time a little easier.

The house really was like a big home, with lots of rooms where people could stay over – 53 in total! There are also lots of kitchens which makes cooking and eating regularly easier – lots of food is donated too so the families don’t have to worry about shopping. There were 4 rooms where the families could relax, read, play with toys, access the internet, watch TV or DVDs and also an outside balcony where families can get some fresh air and a view.  We were all touched again by the amount of donations the house receive. Faye said “I thought it was really generous that lots of people have donated fabulous things.” We all felt that there was so much for the whole family, from baby brothers and sisters to grandparents. Isobel felt it was great that families could be close by. “I think it is good that the house has things to brighten up sad times – like Waffle Wednesday!” Some families use the house for as a little as a day, whilst their child is in hospital as a day patient whilst another stayed for as long as two years whilst their baby was being looked after. We saw lots of photographs of the families as we looked around.

 Before we left w had the opportunity to hang a disc on the Giving Tree, which recgnisers fundraisers who raise over £500 – we rasied £825. William said “I felt proud and honoured to hang the metal disc engraved with our school name.” To finish I think Emily sums up the whole experience well. “I felt sad and happy because you could see the hard time the parents have but happy because the house supports them and is right next to the hospital so they can visit their children whenever.”

The children were all an absolute credit to the school and made the trip enjoyable for everyone involved. The staff from the Ronald McDonald House also commented on the impeccable behaviour, care and compassion shown by our children.