Ronald McDonald charity to hold balloon race

Ronald McDonald House Charities UK is holding its first virtual balloon race tomorrow.

The charity, which supports families with children in hospital across 12 houses in the UK, hopes to raise as much money as possible to keep providing free 'home away from home ' accommodation for families.

With a Ronald McDonald House located next to Birmingham Children 's Hospital, the charity supports thousands of families each year at a critical time in their lives.

Each balloon in the virtual balloon race costs £3 and the virtual balloon that travels the furthest distance in a straight line will be crowned the winner.

There will be 12 winning balloons overall, one from each Ronald McDonald House across the UK, and each winner will receive a personalised disc to hang on the giving tree at each House.

Vanessa Simmons, national community fundraising manager at Ronald McDonald House Charities UK, said: “We are really excited to be running this event and we encourage everyone to take part to support families when they need us most.

“Covid-19 has had a devastating impact on our ability to raise funds over the last year and we hope as many people as possible will join in with the race ”.

To buy a balloon and enter the competition, click here. Don't forget to select Ronald McDonald House Birmingham.

For further information on how to register click here.

Ronald McDonald House Charities UK has 12 houses across the UK situated in or near hospital grounds to enable seriously ill children to have their families close by when they are undergoing treatment and to maintain a degree of normal family life.