Last year, I was asked by parents Kelly and David if I would be able to pop along to the Whitminster Inn and take some pictures to help raise money for Ronald McDonald House, a charity very dear to their heart that provides free accommodation to parents whose children are seriously ill and being cared for in a hospital close by. In 2007, their daughter Erin – who was born with three holes in her heart – had to undergo open heart surgery at Bristol Royal Hospital for Children when she was aged just eight months old.
While she was in hospital, Ronald McDonald House offered Kelly and David accommodation locally so that they were able to be with their daughter throughout this critical time. They said that without this (free) support they really would not have known what to do as hotel accommodation would simply have been too expensive. Kelly and David genuinely feel that Ronald McDonald House played a part in helping to save their daughter’s life by allowing them to be near her when it really mattered.
Thankfully, Erin pulled through and is now a happy and healthy little girl. As a token of their gratitude, Kelly and David have been regular campaigners and money raisers for Ronald McDonald House and their big event for 2012 was a Charity Ball held at the Whitminster Inn. With special guest of honour and local resident Eddie “The Eagle” Edwards, this was always going to be a fun night and with almost 200 people in attendance, a very successful fundraising event too.
Here is a selection of shots from the night…
