Ronald McDonald House Charities keeps families together so children in hospital can get the love and comfort they need. Ronald McDonald House Charities provides ‘home away from home’ accommodation for families with children in hospital, somewhere free to stay for as long as they need to. There are currently 15 Ronald McDonald Houses across the UK, all just a stone’s throw from the children’s ward. Thanks to the fundraising, donations, volunteering and awareness raising of our supporters, our Houses were able to help more than 7,000 families in 2013. Many families travel miles from home so that their child can receive expert medical care from specialist children’s hospitals across the UK. Often, children have to remain in hospital for months at a time, so for the families, staying close to their child can be a struggle. Without a local Ronald McDonald House, many parents have to sleep on a chair by their child’s bed, on a pull down bed if this is available, or pay vast sums of money for hotel accommodation. As an independent charity, we rely on the support and generosity of our families, volunteers and donors. It is because of your fundraising efforts that we are able to look after families with children in hospital. We have achieved a lot in the last 25 years. However, there is still a great deal to do. Our mission is to ensure we have sufficient funds and expertise to develop and sustain free accommodation at every specialist children’s hospital in the UK.