Work starts on 'home away from home'
Posted on Friday 5th June 2015
Sara Hanna, Grenville Fox, Marian Ridley, Hugh Taylor and Jeff Brazier at the groundbreaking ceremony
TV presenter Jeff Brazier has carried out the groundbreaking for a new £13 million ‘home away from home’ for families whose children are being treated in Evelina London Children’s Hospital.
The new Ronald McDonald House Evelina London will provide free accommodation for as long as families need it so they can be on hand for their child at a moment’s notice.
Sir Hugh Taylor, Chairman of Guy’s and St Thomas’, and Jon Haward, Director of Ronald McDonald Charities, were joined at the groundbreaking ceremony by representatives from Guy’s and St Thomas’ Charity and children from Fairley House School.
Guy’s and St Thomas’ Charity provided the land for the new House on Lambeth Road, just 10 minutes’ walk from Evelina London. It will be run by Ronald McDonald House Charities.
Jon Haward, Director of Ronald McDonald Charities, says: “Each year thousands of children are admitted to Evelina London Children’s Hospital for treatment, and having somewhere to stay free of charge and a place to unwind away from the hospital makes a big difference to these families at a stressful time.
“I am pleased that Ronald McDonald House Charities has been able to work with partners to provide a much-needed facility that will make a real difference to families from London, south east England and further afield who are treated at Evelina London.”
Dr Grenville Fox, consultant neonatologist and clinical director for the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and medical specialties in Evelina London Children’s Hospital, says: “We’re seeing more children having to travel ever greater distances for medical treatment. Some are with us for as little as a day, while others stay for many months.
“This new Ronald McDonald House will provide much-needed support and enhance our family-centred care. I am sure it will prove very popular with families.”
The new House replaces the Charity’s 20-bedroom House near Guy’s Hospital, providing a larger facility which is closer to Evelina London. With the hospital’s planned expansion and wider geographical catchment area across the south east and beyond, demand for family accommodation has increased considerably.