As a treat today I took the girls to McDonald’s for lunch as I had had to drag them round the shops. As we were sitting eating I noticed a member of staff moving between the tables trying to sell something. My heart sunk as I hate sales people approaching you when shopping and even worse when eating. I kept my head down, but she was a woman on a mission and she wasn’t going to pass our table without giving it her best shot. I had already decided that it was a No from me, that is until she started talking! She was selling a lapel pin badge to raise money for the Ronald McDonald House Charity. 
Hopefully most people will not know too much about this charity (that sounds strange, but I mean from an experience aspect), but I know only too well about it as I have used their facilities on a number of occasions. I instantly felt guilty about trying to avoid her gaze and reached straight for my purse. The woman was elated as she hadn’t had much success. She went on to tell me that today she had only sold a couple but the day before she had sold 68! I brought 2, one for each of the girls. She asked me if I knew anything about the charity so I went on to tell her how I had stayed in the house at Kings College Hospital in London when Ella had 3/4 of her Liver removed when she was 5 months old. Ella was in the high dependency unit so I wasn’t allowed to stay on the ward with her. If it wasn’t for the Ronald McDonald House I would have have to of gone home at the end of each day which would have been torture so probably would have ended up costing me a fortune in hotel bills.
For those of you who don’t know about the charity, it raises money to operate a home from home house on, or as near as possible, to hospitals with Children’s high dependency units. The house is there for the family to use, for free, as a base while their child is in hospital . It is an amazing facility to be able to offer a family with a sick child and the houses are maintained to an exceptional standard. They are normally large houses that have en suite rooms and then a shared kitchen and lounge area. I stayed in the house for just over a week. It meant I could get a proper nights sleep but was only across the road from the hospital if I need to get to Ella quickly. It also meant I could make myself a proper meal and meet other parents and families who were going through a similar thing. It was a great comfort and meant I had one less thing to worry about.
I am ashamed to say I hadn’t thought about the charity, or the fantastic work they do, for some years now. But after today I am very keen to help spread the word and would ask everyone that if you are approached to purchase one of these pins then please give your £1 and help families in their darkest hour. If not then go to their website and donate online. We never know when we will need this kind of support and from experience I assure you it is something that you will be so grateful of if you ever need it.
We were in the High Wycombe McDonald’s and the money they raise this week will go towards the house at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford. If you local restaurant isn’t collecting at the moment please visit the site and she how you can get involved!
Mum Juggling Life! 