Members of the Merchants House Grants Committee, along with Vice Dean Donald Carmichael, recently visited Ronald McDonald House following a grant award of £4,000

The funding supported the purchase of bedding as part of the “Gift of a Good Night’s Sleep” project. Lyndsay Anderson, Fundraising Manager, said:

“On behalf of everyone at the House, I would like to sincerely thank the Trustees for the extraordinary support they have shown us by donating funds to update our bedding inventory. New bedlinen and pillows have contributed enormously to our family experience in providing our families with a great night’s sleep.

With your support we are able to keep the doors of our House open helping us to reach more families and provide a free, warm and comfortable ‘home away from home’ during some of the most difficult times in their lives.” 

Members of the committee, including Chair Tony McElory, were shown round the 31 bedroom facility by Lyndsay, who explained that it enables parents to stay in free accommodation close to their seriously ill children when they are in hospital, providing some respite and relief during a very challenging time. Ronald McDonald House provides practical support to families in a variety of ways, with lounges, a kitchen, laundry facilities and spaces for siblings to play all available. Crucially, each room has a phone that is linked directly to their child’s Ward, so parents can call or be called at any time of the day or night.

Members of the Grants Committee with Fundraising Manager Lyndsay Anderson (and Ted the monkey!)

One of the bedrooms at Ronald McDonald House

Children come from all over Scotland and further afield come to receive treatment at The Royal Hospital for Children, Glasgow, and other West of Scotland hospitals. Many need emergency care and can end up far from home for long periods of time. Ronald McDonald House helps keep families together by providing high quality accommodation only a few minutes walk from the hospital.

The hospital is Scotland’s largest children’s hospital and a centre of excellence for oncology, cardiology, cardiac surgery, renal medicine and bone marrow transplantation; children with very complex and critical conditions are treated there. Ronald McDonald House is open 365 days a year, and supports around 500 families annually. Watch Alfie’s story here to see what a vital resource it is for them.

Find out more about Merchant House grants on our website. If you would like to support us in making a difference to the lives of people across Glasgow and the West of Scotland, why not consider becoming a member?