It’s our charity of choice

It’s important for children in hospital to have their family around. Ronald McDonald House Charities gives them a welcoming place to stay nearby.
We’re a family restaurant, so keeping families together when they have a seriously ill child is something that’s really important to us.
With your help, we’ve been supporting them since 1989.

Meet the families

For the past 30 years, McDonald’s has supported Ronald McDonald House Charities UK, in helping over 50,000 families. Watch to find out more.

What does Ronald McDonald House Charities do?

When you’re a child in hospital, having your family around can make all the difference. It can make something that’s really scary a lot more bearable. The Charity helps keep families together, by providing accommodation near specialist children’s hospitals. It gives them a ‘home away from home’ where they can rest, cook and take time out. Each House also has staff who are there to provide help and support to the families, so they can focus on giving their child the care they need. Find Out More

What McDonald’s does to help the charity

We’re the largest corporate supporter of Ronald McDonald House Charities UK. As well as donating part of our profits, we also hold annual fundraising days, provide free office space, business resources and advertising.

Since 1989, we’ve raised over £85 million for the Charity which goes towards the running and building of Ronald McDonald Houses. For the last 30 years, our customers have played a huge part in that by dropping their spare change into the collection boxes at our tills.

In October 2019, we introduced an exciting new way for customers in our restaurants to donate what they can to the Charity. Customers ordering from our kiosks can now round up to the nearest pound or give set donations of 1p, 10p, 20p of which 100% is given to Ronald McDonald House Charities UK.

Raising money in many ways

Along with our Franchisees, we take part in regular charity events. In 2018, McDonald’s restaurants across the UK raised almost £500,000 by holding their annual October fundraising weekend including selling custom-made cuddly toys, raffles, bake sales and other fun activities. As well as this, we participate in sponsored events, like the Inflatable 5K Challenge held across the UK, marathons, bike rides, treks and car rallies.

Every donation makes a difference

Your kind donations help to support existing Ronald McDonald Houses and build new ones. In 2020, the Charity will open a brand new 62 bedroom House in Oxford next to the John Radcliffe Children’s Hospital, making a huge difference to more families with children needing specialist care.

More Houses mean even more families can stay close to their children.

Find out more