Manchester McDonald's restaurant visits local Ronald McDonald House to provide a day of magical memo

Parents and children staying at the free ‘home away from home’ accommodation at Manchester House often miss out on celebratory occasions and family gatherings, so the House and its local McDonald’s restaurant joined forces to support families with a day of light relief.

Crew members from the nearby McDonald’s restaurant set aside their cooking utensils in exchange for hanging bunting and piñatas at the Manchester House.

Children were treated to face-painting, activities and games. To top it off, the local McDonald’s Oxford Road restaurant provided each child with a tasty Happy Meal® for a much-needed bite amidst all the fun!

McDonald’s is a founding and forever partner of the Charity, which has provided vital support to thousands of families across the UK at each of its 14 locations since 1989. The Houses, located next to specialist NHS children’s hospitals, allow families to be by their child's bedside in a matter of moments, whilst maintaining a degree of normality during very difficult times. As the Charity’s biggest supporter, McDonald’s has helped more than 90,000 families through its ongoing fundraising initiatives.

Jo and Simon Fitton, from Lytham St Annes, are currently staying at Ronald McDonald House Manchester, while their 13-year-old daughter Annabelle is being treated at the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital. Annabelle required an emergency admission for an autism related eating condition to Galaxy House, a department that specialises in treating young people with demanding physical and emotional issues.

Jo said: “The Manchester House is amazing, inside and out, with so much on offer for families away from home. The burden of worry was definitely eased as soon as we moved into the House. We couldn’t believe how supportive everything was. Not only do we have facilities to cook, clean, wash, and sleep, we came to find that the community of other families in the House helped us to manage better, by spending time chatting together and relating to each other’s situations. The staff are beyond amazing too – nothing is every too much for them. I know that if I ever have a day where I’m struggling, they will always take time out of their day to listen and comfort me.”

Roger Khoryati, Franchisee of eleven restaurants in the Manchester area said, “I’m so proud of my crew for volunteering to support our local Manchester House, as the Charity celebrates its 35th anniversary this year. It’s heartwarming to see the impact of McDonald’s donations and the vital support the Charity provides for families all over the UK. As McDonald’s celebrates its 50th year in the UK, it’s important for us to continue to give back to the local communities that we’ve been lucky enough to be a part of over the years. We look forward to supporting the Manchester House more in the future.”

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, at face-painting stations, 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.