Starbucks North Finchley

Ronald McDonald House Charities provides ‘home away from home’ accommodation for families with seriously ill children being treated at specialist children’s Hospitals, our Houses are free for families to stay for as long as their child is receiving specialist care, whether that is for a couple of days or for years. Our Houses are built on the simple idea that nothing else should matter when a family is focused on the health of their child –not where they can afford to stay, where they will get their next meal or where they will lay their head at night to rest. For us, ‘home away from home’ means providing all the facilities a family would have in their own home such, as kitchen, lounges with TVs, playrooms and toys for the children, laundry facilities and private bedrooms. Parents who have meals and a chance to shower and lie down for a good night’s sleep are much better equipped to support their sick child. There are currently 14 Ronald McDonald Houses across the UK, supporting over 7,300 families each year. However demand for accommodation is far higher than can be met. Why we need your support: Demand for our facilities will only increase over the coming three years, thanks to significant changes in the way the NHS structures its children’s services; instead of providing a children’s unit at every hospital, it is building fewer but bigger specialist children’s hospitals in key locations. This results in a hugely increased likelihood that a family will need to travel for treatment if their child falls ill. In the next three years we are aiming to build three new Houses to help reduce this added stress to families who will be using the services at: Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospital and the neo-natal unit, paediatric intensive care unit at the University Hospital of Wales; The Royal Hospital for Sick Children, Edinburgh and relocation of our Ronald McDonald House Oxford which supports Oxford Children’s Hospital. Once all three are open we will provide an additionally 120 rooms each night and will support over 1,750 more families a year, Help us raise funds for these vital projects.

At Noah’s Ark we help babies, children and young people with life-limiting or life-threatening conditions, and their families, make the most of every day. And we support those who die young to do so in as much comfort as possible, surrounded by family. We provide exceptional care, organise fun activities and days out, and help families do things they never thought possible. We are here to enable those we support to enjoy life as children, rather than as patients; as families, not just as carers. We serve communities across north and central London, as well as Herts Valley, working in partnership with key NHS trusts.

We provide free midweek groups for primary school aged children from Strawberry Vale and the local community. We aim to provide a place where they are able to make friends, learn new skills, have fun, grow in confidence and relax in a safe environment.