Staff and pupils at Wallbrook Primary Academy have heard how their recent fundraising efforts are helping families with children receiving hospital treatment during a visit from Ronald McDonald House Charities UK.
Charity representative Niamh Smythe visited the school to explain how donations are helping to fund free ‘home away from home’ accommodation for families whose children are being treated at specialist NHS hospitals, allowing them to stay close during often long and difficult periods of care.
The visit followed a fundraising week in March, when pupils, staff and families raised more than £1,000 for Birmingham Children’s Hospital Charity and Ronald McDonald House Charities UK. Activities included a non-uniform day, and a range of pupil-led events held across the Academy.
Ronald McDonald House Charities UK operates 14 Houses across the UK and has supported more than 95,000 families since 1989.
During the visit, pupils heard how the charity relies on donations to keep these services running, helping to ease both financial and emotional pressures on families at difficult times. It also helped learners clearly connect their fundraising with real-life impact.
School Principal, Lorna McGregor, said: “The children were genuinely moved to hear how their efforts had helped families stay together during difficult hospital treatment. You could see in their reactions that they understood what their fundraising had actually meant to real people and the amazing difference they could make for others, which is a powerful lesson at this age.”
The Academy said the visit highlighted the impact pupils can have when they come together as a school community.
