Letter from Doug Wright, Chairman Ronald McDonald House Charities, Birmingham
Dear Phoenix Readers
I hope you are well. I’m personally reaching out for some help from you to support our very special Ronald McDonald House in Birmingham where we provide a vital home away from Home.
In 2019, we kept 982 families together at our Birmingham house, totally free of charge, whose children were being treated at the Birmingham Children’s Hospital. The emotional and financial burden of a sick child in hospital has increased exponentially since Covid-19.
We are proud that we kept our House open throughout the lockdown with the staff brilliantly coping with all the complex operational challenges. Sadly, we’ve had to cancel our annual gala dinner this year (which raised £253,000 profit in 2019 - in excess of 25% of the cost of keeping the House open all year round). As such, we urgently need to raise funds in an alternative way.
In its place, I’m delighted to announce we are holding a virtual RMHC Birmingham fund raising event on Thursday the 12th of November at 8pm.
This inaugural event is to bring RMHC to you with an update on the charity. We will hear from a very special family who stayed with us whilst their son was receiving treatment at the Birmingham Children’s Hospital. I can also exclusively reveal that during this event I will be interviewing a real Comedy legend and Charity icon in Sir Lenny Henry.
He will share a personal insight into how we can all give back and create societal impact within our own communities. We’ve priced tickets so that each one sold can cover the cost of a family staying with us for one night (which is £25).
Every penny raised will go to the House here in Birmingham.
So, how can you help? There are three ways;
1. Buy tickets for this virtual event at £25 (there’s an option to upgrade to a £50 ticket and receive a box of goodies to enjoy during the event).
2. Sponsor part of the virtual event. Cost £1000 or £2000.
3. Donate any amount you can. You can use this link to book https://rmhc.org.uk/event/theres-no-place-like-home/
I totally understand how tough life is right now for absolutely everybody but with your help we can make a significant difference to the lives of families staying with us here in Birmingham.
Thank you.
Doug
