Staff at Coleg Gwent have been busy fundraising for Ronald McDonald House Bristol, in support of colleague Paul Mugleston and his three year old daughter, Ruby.

Young Ruby was admitted to the paediatric intensive care unit at Bristol Children’s Hospital after her third birthday in December last year. ICT Systems Manager Paul and his wife stayed at Ronald McDonald House Bristol during this time so they could remain close to the hospital, before moving to CLIC Sargent accommodation during the following stages of Ruby’s treatment.

Ronald McDonald House Bristol provides free accommodation, including laundry and kitchen facilities and support to families while their child is in hospital miles away from home.

Earlier this year Learning Centre Services Manager, Kevin Arscott, walked the distance of all five Coleg Gwent campuses’ from Abercarn to Ebbw Vale via Crosskeys, Newport, Usk and Pontypool (53.6 miles) in under 23 hours. He raised more than £1,300 for the charity after completing his walk earlier this month, “Being a parent myself it is hard to imagine the suffering and emotional pain faced by others.

“Through my colleague, Paul, I became aware of the fantastic charity Ronald McDonald House Bristol which provides not just free accommodation, but a ’home from home’ near the hospital for families to use”, continued Kevin.

Without Ronald McDonald House Bristol, which relies on public donations, it would be financially difficult for many families to be near their loved ones when in hospital at such an anxious and worrying time.

It’s this reason that three other colleagues from Coleg Gwent are tackling the National Three Peaks Challenge, with an aim of completing it in 15 hours.

“After Kevin had fundraised for the charity, my colleague Alex found the Three Peaks challenge and made me an offer I couldn’t refuse!,” said Dan Coles, Head of Projects and Funding.

Anna Palmer Fundraising Manager at Ronald McDonald House Bristol said, “With annual running costs of around £270,000, we are relying more and more on the hard work of individual fundraisers to help us keep families together.

“We are indebted to all of our wonderful supporters who take on all these incredible challenges , to raise much needed funds as well as awareness of what we do and how we help the families who stay with us.”

Dan, along with his colleagues Alex Anderson, Head of Estates Development and Facilities and Ian Rowe, Head of Health, Safety and Sustainability based at Usk campus, will be taking part on Saturday 22 September and looking for donations to help them raise their target of £2,280. Visit their fundraising page https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/andersonrowecoles to show your support.