We are so grateful for the support we received from Ronald McDonald House, Evelina in 2018.  When our daughter Lola was born, she spent 5 months in the NICU at St Thomas`.  Thankfully, we stayed for 5 months at Ronald McDonald House- accommodation right next to the hospital throughout this time.   We are forever thankful.  

Our story;

Our beautiful daughter Lola was born full term. When we went into hospital to have her, we expected to be home within a few days.  As soon as Lola was born, she was instantly unable breath. Lola was transferred via blue light ambulance to St Thomas` Hospital to undergo Cooling Therapy.  All very unexpected.  At that point, my wife was still at Watford Hospital, and I went with Lola in the ambulance to St Thomas`.   We had no idea what was happening and how the next few hours and indeed days would unfold for us all.  As the first night passed and I slept on a hospital chair my wife and I then came to the realisation; where could we stay to be as close as possible to Lola at such a vital time?  My wife had also just had a C-section so needed not to have a long journey to be with our baby girl.  It was at that point a representative from Ronald McDonald with a NICU nurse came to me and I was told about the Ronald McDonald House which was opposite the hospital.  We could not believe such a place existed.  We asked if there was a time limit to how long we could stay, they replied ‘until you can go home’. Tears of relief.  We were unsure what to expect when we first turned up to the house, we couldn’t believe it, it was clean, safe, with all the facilities we could need.  But vitally it was so close to the hospital.

My wife recalls the feeling of getting away from the hospital for the first night, and whilst not her own bed, to know we were close to Lola but away from the busy wards was very much needed and provided a little relief.

Lola was very poorly and we needed to stay in NICU for five months, that was her first home.  Ronald’s was ours as new parents.

The benefits, that we still gain today from Ronald’s are beyond words.  From being close to dash to her if a call came in the night that she was struggling or something had occurred allowed us to rest knowing we could be there quickly.  It meant we could be there anytime within a 24 hour window, as we were not losing valuable time travelling to be with Lola.  This has led to the three of us having an incredibly tight bond, which we are certain the time we could spend with Lola in those first few vital months enabled.  Also, my wife was expressing, so being able to take milk to the unit was critical to help Lola but also, when so many decisions were taken from our hands as parents this was one way, Sophie always felt she could play her part.

As we were in the unit for five months, by us staying at Ronald’s it allowed me to commute to work, and return after work to see Lola in NICU for the evening.  I would not have been able to have that vital time with Lola.

As time unfolded in NiCU, we completed physio, feeding therapy and read to Lola constantly.  All of these things, have helped Lola become the little lady and all she achieves today.   How can we ever repay Ronald’s for this!

But the ability to stay close to Lola was not all Ronald’s provided.  It was an ability to have a shower, wash our clothes - all the ‘normal’ things you can do without thinking when in your own home.  Also for many evenings after returning from a tough day on the unit or even the days when another diagnosis came in, a warm meal cooked by volunteers awaited us.  We didn’t know we were hungry until we saw food.  It absolutely kept us going.

How many people have heard of this charity? We had not until that vital moment when they approached us. .  This charity makes such a difference to people, when life doesn’t play out as we would expect. When your whole world has flipped upside down in a moment.   It’s unimaginable to have had to leave Lola in a hospital in central London on her own during her first few months.  Ronald McDonald house meant we did not need to.  Sophie was with her for every waking moment.  It was not where we would wish anyone to need to spend anytime, but should they be a position to need to, Ronald’s will catch them.   That is quiet something special.

For every £500 raised for Ronald McDonald’s House will ensure that a family like mine can stay in accommodation next to the hospital for 20 nights. 

Fast forward to today.  Lola needed a tracheostomy from six weeks old, which she still has in place.

We are on a very long journey and the nature of the procedures means there is not a quick fix.  Lola is a very determined little 4 year old girl, who is not afraid to tell us what she wants.  We now hope that in the near future Lola will no longer need her tracheostomy as we monitor her airway and hope it soon becomes wide enough for her to live without it.

We are so thankful to Ronald McDonald House, as we believe that a key reason that Lola is doing so well (and incredibly happy!) with strong attachments is that she had her parents by her side during her time in NICU.  Despite her current challenges, Lola has now started school and we have just had a report that her learning is in line with her peers.  We believe the input in the first 5 months was crucial for this.   

Ronald McDonald House Charities UK provides free ‘home away from home’ accommodation to families with children having treatment in hospital. Our Houses offer much more than just a place to stay; they provide family activities, peer support, respite, and many other services. This means that families can be by their child’s bedside in a matter of moments, whilst maintaining a degree of normal life with reduced emotional and financial strain.We help over 6,000 families each year and now, more than ever, we need your support. Thank you.