JLS star, Aston Merrygold, has been a longstanding supporter of McDonald’s and its founding and forever partner Ronald McDonald House Charities UK. Recently the singer headed down to the Birmingham House to visit families and hosted a special House party for the children and their families.

This summer, McDonald’s and Ronald McDonald Houses across the UK have been hosting ‘House Parties’, to provide a day of light relief for the little ones and their families. As parents and children staying at the free ‘home away from home’ accommodation often miss out on celebratory occasions and family gatherings. 

Crew members from local Birmingham McDonald’s restaurants, set aside their cooking utensils in exchange for hanging bunting, streamers, and piñatas at the House. Lending their support to provide the children with games and fun to enjoy. Throughout the party, children were treated to an interactive magic-show, face-painting from crew members, games, Happy Meals, and cake!

Taking a break from the festivities, Aston sat down with parents, Ilona, Ryan, and their baby boy Kiah to hear their experience staying at the Birmingham House. The family has been living at the House since Kiah’s birth 9 months ago after he was born requiring specialist hospital treatment, and he has undergone multiple surgeries in his short life.

Kiah’s parents revealed to Aston how important and life changing their time at the Birmingham House has been. Mum, Ilona said: “We live about 60 miles away from the hospital so when we had Kiah and knew he would be staying in intensive care that was our biggest worry, we knew we couldn’t stay away from him. When we heard about the Birmingham House it was a massive relief, it’s made our family so much stronger. Being here during the whole situation has really changed our lives.”

Dean Chapman, Franchisee of the McDonald’s Bristol Road restaurant said: “It was fantastic to hear how successful the Birmingham House party was. With everything that these families face day-to-day, we’re honoured to be part of something that can offer them light relief. I’m proud of the crew from my restaurants for providing their support on the day and I know they thoroughly enjoyed seeing so many happy faces. When it comes to helping our local community, we love to lend our support where we can, and the team have done such a great job at the House party. We look forward to supporting the Charity and the Birmingham House more in the future.”

McDonald’s is a founding and forever partner of Ronald McDonald House Charities UK, which provides vital support to thousands of families across the UK at each of its 14 locations. The Houses, located next to major hospitals, allow families to be by their child's bedside in a matter of moments, whilst maintaining a degree of normality during very difficult times. As the Charity’s biggest supporter, McDonald’s is passionate about driving awareness and has helped more than 60,000 families through its ongoing fundraising initiatives.

Ronald McDonald House Charities UK relies on the generosity of supporters and fundraisers, including McDonald’s customers, without whom it would be unable to continue its vital work. You can help fundraise for the Charity in restaurant via donation boxes at the tills, rounding up your order at the kiosks, and now at face-painting stations, as well as via the McDonald’s App.

The ongoing cost-of-living crisis has meant that donations are needed now more than ever. This has been further highlighted by the stark results of a recent survey the Charity held amongst families who have children receiving long-term hospital treatment:

  • 7 in 10 people who have stayed in a House reported their finances were negatively impacted by having a child in hospital.
  • Over a quarter of families (28%) have skipped meals to help make ends meet.
  • 28% said they have gone cold to avoid using heating at home.
  • More than 40% have asked family or friends to borrow money.
  • 58% have cut back on non-essential spending.
  • More than 65% said they have struggled to pay at least one of their household bills over the last year.
  • More than 2 in 3 said that the cost-of-living crisis is causing their mental health to suffer.