Ronald McDonald House Charity public appeal #WearYourStripes

Ronald McDonald House Charity has launched a public appeal to support its national fundraising initiative called #WearYourStripes. The fundraising initiative is designed to raise vital funds for the Ronald McDonald House so that they can continue to care for families from all over Ireland while their children are seriously and long term ill in Crumlin Hospital.
The #WearYourStripes campaign will feature a 5k #Walk4Families event at St. Fursas Hall, Headford, Galway on Sunday 7th October at 2pm. This year the Headford No Name Club will help host the event alongside Rosie Conneely from Galway who stayed in the Ronald McDonald House. The walk is an event designed to include everybody, taken at a pace suitable for all members of the family including family-friendly activities to keep everyone entertained.
Former Rose of Tralee Maria Walsh will officially start the Galway #Walk4Families by cutting the ribbon on the day. Galway hurling manager Jeffrey Lynskey will bring along the All Ireland Minor Hurling Irish Press Cup and also present on the day will be Galway ladies senior captain Tracey Leonard and the Galway All Ireland minor ladies team. Local T.D. Seán Canney will also be participating in the event.
The #WearYourStripes campaign is designed to encourage companies and schools to facilitate employees or students “wearing their stripes” to work or school on Friday 5th October to show their support for families who have a seriously sick child in hospital.
Calling for support from all corners of Ireland for this campaign, CEO (Volunteer) of Ronald McDonald House Charity in Ireland, Marian Carroll, said: “We are calling on people to support our #WearYourStripes and #Walk4Families events taking place in Galway on the 7th October. At the moment, families who have stayed with us in the Ronald McDonald House in Crumlin are organising seven bumper walk events across the country on the weekend of 6th and 7th October. We are asking for people to support a #Walk4Families event that weekend, and/or to ask their workplace or school to facilitate a #WearYourStripes day on Friday 5th October.”
3,628 families since 2004 – this amounts to 83,659 bed nights
“Our track record is of helping 3,628 families since 2004 – this amounts to 83,659 bed nights in total. All over this country, families know the importance of the services we provide – we keep families close at the most challenging time in their lives. We care for families at a very difficult time in their lives. We are asking that people support a walk in their own county or run a #WearYourStripes event. We can help anyone who is interested. Let’s all help families whose children are inpatients in Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Crumlin.”
The O’Sullivan family who stayed in the Ronald McDonald House said: “When we found that our son was seriously ill and that it would involve a long stay in the hospital in Crumlin, we simply didn’t know how we would be able to manage. When we were offered a place in the Ronald McDonald House, it solved so many of the problems and challenges a family with a seriously sick child face.
“We were able to stay together as a family, avoid the crazy commuting up and down to the hospital, keep our kids in touch with each other and see each other regularly. That’s all the big picture stuff but we were also blown away by the simple practicalities of being given food, being cooked for, having some normality during tough times, the support of the other families staying there. It is no exaggeration to say we simply could not have coped without the Ronald McDonald House. The warmth and security we have experienced here has been second to none. The Ronald McDonald House let us know that there are people who care about how important it is to keep the family together. We will remember this experience forever.”
To participate in the walk, you can register now at https://ronaldmcdonaldhousecharities.clr.events/
Registration is only €30 per family.
RMHC are suggesting that corporate or school #WearYourStripes events could involve a donation of €2 per person participating.
For more information on the campaign, you can follow #WearYourSTRIPES / #Walk4Families on Facebook/RMHCDublin | www.rmhc.ie or call/email Sharon Keogh on 014560436 | [email protected] to find out more about arranging/attending a walk or event in your area.
If you cannot attend a #Walk4Families or #WearYourStripes event, please Text HOUSE to 50300 to donate €4 (Texts cost €4 | Minimum €3.26 to charity | Service provider Like Charity | 076 6805278)
All funds raised from #Walk4Families and #WearYourStripes events go directly to The Ronald McDonald House Charity, an independent charity run by a Board of Trustees appointed by the charity.