As part of her Duke of Edinburgh Award Jessica Patel worked with Sam to create two pictures for Ronald McDonald House. Each critter was created by visitors to Sam Harvey and Robyn Wilson-Owen’s Open Studios event and during Stitch Clubs. The backgrounds were painted by Louis and Jack and stitched by Sam. Jess applied each of the critters and flowers. We hope that they provide as much pleasure to others as they did when we created them.
Wondering what Ronald McDonald has to do with hospitals?
Ronald McDonald House Charities keeps families together so children in hospital can get the love and comfort they need. Ronald McDonald Houses are a ‘home away from home’ for families with children in hospital, somewhere free to stay for as long as they need to. There are currently 15 Ronald McDonald Houses and over 25 sets of Family Rooms across the UK, all just a stone’s throw from the children’s ward. Together, they provide more than 450 rooms for families each night of the year.
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.