Caring for our Community with
RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE
Headington School students have been actively involved with Oxford’s Ronald McDonald House
Charity through community service and creative initiatives.
Grace Fung Oei (Headingtonian 1972) played a vital role in connecting the school with the charity.
Ronald McDonald House (RMH) Charities UK has been supporting families for 30 years, providing stability and resources to help them focus on their child's health.
How it all started
In 1974, Fred Hill, a player for the Philadelphia Eagles, had a daughter who was diagnosed with leukaemia and his team was inspired to raise over $100,000 to support The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia where she was being treated. An oncologist at the hospital received the gift and launched a campaign to raise an additional $32,000 to fund a house where families of sick children in the hospital could get a proper break away from the wards. McDonald's rose to the challenge by donating proceeds from McDonald's Shamrock Shakes and the first Ronald McDonald House opened in Philadelphia on 15 October 1974.
Ronald McDonald House today
Today, Ronald McDonald House Charities operates in more than 64 countries with a total of 368 Ronald McDonald Houses giving families a warm and comfortable place to rest, eat and relax just moments from their child’s hospital ward, providing invaluable support to families at a critical time in their lives. In the UK, the first Ronald McDonald House (RMH) was opened in 1989 and there are now 14 houses, which have helped more than 60,000 families. McDonald's and its global franchises have raised more than £100 million for the charity, providing free accommodation, office space, business resources and advertising.
Headington’s involvement
Grace Fung Oei (Headingtonian 1972) has been Chairperson of the Ronald McDonald House (RMH) Charities in Hong Kong since 2008, and a member of the Global Board of Trustees since 2015.
During Headington School’s visit to Hong Kong in 2019, a conversation with Grace led to a collaboration between Headington School and the brand new 62 bedroom RMH which was being built in the grounds of the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford to provide much needed ‘home away from home’ accommodation for families whose children were receiving treatment at the JR.
From the time that the new RMH in Oxford opened its doors in 2020, pupils from Headington have been actively involved with the Charity through the school’s Community Service programme and The Duke of Edinburgh's Award, playing their part in helping to create a comfortable and welcoming environment for those families using the facilities and making a positive impact on the local community.
As part of RMH's Build a house for a house Christmas campaign in 2020, a group of Sixth Form students from Headington took part in a creative challenge to build a giant gingerbread house advent calendar to give to the house, helping to raise awareness of the charity and engaging the wider community in supporting the cause.
The students involved in the project, Beth Hunter, Asha and Priya Githani, Abi Kuester (now Headingtonians, 2022), said “We loved making a gingerbread house for Ronald McDonald House and really hope it makes the families staying there have a more enjoyable Christmas”.
Headington is committed to showing our continued support to the families who rely on Ronald McDonald House Charities UK and the school has plans to expand our involvement with RMH to make an even bigger impact. Alongside regular cake bakes for special occasions like Mother’s Day and Easter, pupils will have the opportunity to volunteer and contribute to communal areas of the house and a gardening club will spruce up the gardens for families to enjoy.
The story of how Ronald McDonald House Charities UK came to be is a touching reminder of the power of community and collaboration. Starting from the simple idea to help the families of sick children, it has grown into a global network of support for families in need. Along with generous donors and volunteers, McDonald's and its franchises have played a vital role in providing resources and accommodation for families during challenging times.
Headington School is proud to be an example of how young people can make a meaningful difference in their community by getting involved in charitable initiatives. Their creative ideas and willingness to volunteer has brought comfort and joy to the families staying at the Ronald McDonald House in Oxford and serves as an inspiring example of how young people can use their skills and creativity to make a positive impact on their community.
“I’m delighted that Headington pupils have forged such close links with RMHC in Oxford.
The beautiful Gingerbread House last year and these wonderful artwork and photographs this year help to brighten up the House and bring enjoyment and inspiration to families as they go through one of the most difficult phases in their lives. I would like to thank Caroline and Anisha for their leadership, and all the students involved for their continued support for RMHC in Oxford.
My work with the Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) is very rewarding and we are excited that the construction for our 66 room second RMH in HK is on track for opening later in 2023. Please see the below rendering of the new RMH in HK.
If there are any Headingtonians who would like to find out how they can become involved with this worthwhile cause, please get in touch with me via Headington Connect and I look forward to showing you around our new House when you are in Hong Kong!”
Grace Fung Oei (Headingtonian 1972)
“I’m delighted that Headington pupils have forged such close links with RMHC in Oxford.
The beautiful Gingerbread House last year and these wonderful artwork and photographs this year help to brighten up the House and bring enjoyment and inspiration to families as they go through one of the most difficult phases in their lives. I would like to thank Caroline and Anisha for their leadership, and all the students involved for their continued support for RMHC in Oxford.
My work with the Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) is very rewarding and we are excited that the construction for our 66 room second RMH in HK is on track for opening later in 2023. Please see the below rendering of the new RMH in HK.
If there are any Headingtonians who would like to find out how they can become involved with this worthwhile cause, please get in touch with me via Headington Connect and I look forward to showing you around our new House when you are in Hong Kong!”
Grace Fung Oei (Headingtonian 1972)
Rendering of the new RMH in HK
Rendering of the new RMH in HK
Rendering of the new RMH in HK
Rendering of the new RMH in HK
Head over to Ronald McDonald Charities to find out more about how you can support families in need