A SUCCESSFUL coffee morning was held at Cafe Sonder in aid of Ronald McDonald House Ireland.
Located on the grounds of Children’s Health Ireland at Crumlin, Ronald McDonald House provides accommodation, care and support to families of seriously ill children in hospital.
As well as the coffee morning at Sonder, Dunfanaghy Golf Club also held the Ronald McDonald House Golf Classic on Friday.
Head of Development at Ronald McDonald House, Louise Quail, highlighted that each €100 raised from such charity events covers the cost of a night’s stay for a family.
“What the house offers is a place of comfort, home and support where the whole family can be together,” she explained.
“We’re conscious that a lot of families don’t just have one sick child to look after, they have other children.
“So a big focus for us is wrapping our arms around that whole family and creating a nice, safe, homely space where they can put their head at night, have a home-cooked meal every day, and equally just a space to come together as a family as often as they can.
“When you book into the Ronald McDonald House, you’re there for as long as you need it, and it’s completely free of charge. From an accommodation perspective we provide breakfast packs and a home-cooked meal every single day of the week.
“There’s car parking, laundry facilities, and all of those facilities are completely free of charge, just alleviating that little bit of financial stress on the family as well.”
Manager of McDonald’s Letterkenny, Victor Byrne, added: “There are over 400 families that have used Ronald McDonald from Donegal. When they have to go with a sick child, one of the worries when you get there is expenses.
“So this rules that out for them, that they don’t have to worry with accommodation, with the parking, and the house is literally right on the grounds. It’s really a benefit to people.”
Chef Martin Anderson of Cafe Sonder said: “I just want to thank everybody on behalf of myself and my staff, and the community of Letterkenny for the tremendous support for this fantastic, worthwhile cause.
“It was great to see everybody out enjoying the sunshine, enjoying the coffee, the sponsored treats, and it was great to meet so many families that have availed of this wonderful facility, and we’re absolutely delighted to be part of the fundraising.”
For more information on Ronald McDonald House, visit rmhc.ie.
Victor with Martin and Lena at Sonder.
Toni, Mary, Elaine and Grace.
Anne, Ivan, Hazel, Robert and Claire at Sonder.
Naomi Hamilton O’Donnell, Donegal News, with Louise Quail, Head of Development Ronald McDonald House Ireland, Victor Byrne, McDonalds Letterkenny and Cynthia Furey.