A Ramsgate dad-of-one will be get on his motorbike and ride from Thanet to Glasgow and back next month to raise funds for Ronald McDonald Houses.
Phil Smith, 36, says he wants to give back to the charity that helped his family when he was a youngster attending hospital appointments due to severe epilepsy.
Ronald McDonald Houses enable families with babies or children in hospital to stay at the house free of charge for as long as they need. They are located as closely as possible to specialist children’s hospitals across the UK. More than 95,000 families have benefitted since the first house was opened in 1989.
If there is not a room available the charity offers day passes which give families the opportunity to rest, shower, cook and just enjoy some family time together for a while being away from the hospital.
On average the charity helps save families over £1200 in out-of-pocket accommodation and travel expenses every single year, whilst caring for a sick child.
Local government worker Phil will undertake the 944 mile round trip on his Tourer on July 22, returning July 23.
He said: “Ronald McDonald Houses charity helped put my family up when I was a child. I had severe epilepsy and was up the hospital every four to six months for appointments.
“I have done a lot of charity work before for QEQM Hospital with the toy runs. At Easter I raised money for and collected a lot of East eggs and took them there myself.
“I just want to give back to the charity that helped me and has also helped my sister’s kids as they rely heavily on donations.
“I’m riding from Ramsgate to Glasgow and think it will take 10 to 12 hours. I’ll stay overnight and then do the same journey back.”
Phil will be joined on parts of the journey by members of bike groups across the UK. His work colleagues will also add to the fund with a bake sale.
Phil’s initial fundraising target is £1000 but he hopes to stretch that to £2,500.
Leave a Reply