Bents Garden & Home has discovered the perfect family to front its fundraising efforts for Ronald McDonald House at Alder Hey, its charity of the year for 2010. Rebecca and Iain Jenkinson, who have eight week old triplets, have already experienced the care and support provided by Ronald McDonald House and are now looking forward to some VIP treatment from Bents.
Following the huge success of Bents’ 2009 charity - raising over £7400 for Marie Curie Cancer Care - the Glazebury based garden centre has once again set itself a challenge and, with Rebecca, Iain and the triplet’s help, hopes to beat last year’s total and raise enough money to buy 15 beds for the family support house at Alder Hey Hospital in Liverpool.
Gabriella, Zachary and Alexander were born in Dec 2009 and Alex was immediately diagnosed with a congenital heart condition; at the time of diagnosis he was just a day old and was transferred to Alder Hey for intensive treatment. Having the opportunity to stay at Ronald McDonald House allowed the new family to stay as close as possible to Alex during his time in care.
Now fully recovered, Alex and his family are back home and are helping Bents with their 2010 campaign. Says Rebecca: “We are delighted that Bents has chosen Ronald McDonald House as their 2010 charity and even more pleased to be invited to help out with their fundraising this year.
“We received fantastic care and support from all the staff at the House, none of which could be done without constant fundraising as it is run on donations alone. To be able to stay on site at Alder Hey and be close to Alex when he was poorly meant so much. Bents raised a fantastic figure last year and we hope 2010 will be just as successful.”
Says Matthew Bent, Managing Director of Bents Garden & Home: “My family has had personal experience of the care provided by Ronald McDonald House so this year’s charity is very close to my heart. We have set ourselves a target to raise enough money to buy 15 beds for the home so we need at least £5000.
“We look forward to being joined by Rebecca and her family at events throughout the year as our VIP guests and hope they enjoy being involved with Bents.”
The Ronald Macdonald House at Alder Hey is the largest such house in the world and as a completely independent charity depends entirely upon voluntary donations.