We are in the process of building a brand new 53 bedroom House to help families at Southampton General Hospital and Princess Anne Hospital.

In the last year at Southampton General Hospital over 18,700 children were admitted for treatment and at least 2,400 families had to travel far from home so their child could get the expert care they desperately needed.

On 11 March 2013 we started building a 53-bedroom House in the grounds of Southampton General Hospital, on Tremona Road. As well as 53 en-suite bedrooms, the House will have communal living facilities, including kitchens, lounges, playrooms and laundry room. This will enable families to stay close to their child and maintain a degree of normal family life. Every bedroom in the Ronald McDonald House will have a telephone linked directly to the children’s ward.

Families not staying in the House can also access the facilities and have a break from the ward or cook a meal.

The House is costing £7 million to build and there will be an additional £500,000 a year in running costs. Ronald McDonald House Charities is calling on businesses and the community across the south of England to help raise much-needed funds to furnish and run this important facility.