Since 2015, the partnership has continued to grow year on year, with employees going above and beyond to support the Charity and its families. RBC employees have volunteered over 3,132 hours and, alongside corporate donations, helped to raise over £770,000.
In aid of RMHC UK Celebration Week, colleagues supported the Charity through a wide variety of fundraising, volunteering and gift-in-kind opportunities. These included purchasing gifts for RMHC UK families for Easter and signing-up to RBC’s flagship virtual volunteering opportunity - Takeaway Tuesdays, to arrange a hot meal for families staying in the Houses. Employees were invited to an online lunch and learn event to hear first-hand from a former RMHC UK family, on how the accommodation helped them. Simon Caulton and Anjna Mahey spent 225 nights at the Birmingham House so they could be close to their baby, Mia, whilst she received treatment in the local hospital.
“The Ronald McDonald House became our sanctuary. It was a place we could care for ourselves. A place to escape the noises of the hospital, to rest, have a good cry, freshen up and recharge for the next shift. Thank you RBC for supporting families like ours.”– Anjna Mahey
Jon Haward, Executive Director of RMHC UK, also spoke at the event, providing insight into the Charity’s work and in particular how they have been impacted by the pandemic.
“We are always grateful to the RBC team for their dedication, time and support they contribute to our families. Employees are able to collaborate and develop new skills as they volunteer in Ronald McDonald Houses but also more recently virtually. RBC’s support these past six years has been integral in helping us develop and expand RMHC UK to support over 31,000 families. Now more than ever the support we receive from the bank, but also from employees, is helping us navigate through the pandemic and safeguard our future.“– Jon Haward, Executive Director of Ronald McDonald House Charities UK
Our partnership with RMHC UK enables us to put our purpose of ‘helping communities prosper’ into action. Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, employees volunteered their time by serving hot meals to families, decorating bedrooms and gardening in the Houses – and they hope to be back volunteering in person as soon as it is safe to do so. Employees also help to create special moments for RMHC UK families by donating Easter eggs and Christmas hampers each year, as well as take on challenge events to raise money for RMHC UK.
“The commitment of RBC employees is what makes our relationship with RMHC UK so special. Through employee-led volunteering and fundraising, colleagues are able to have a direct impact on families in the UK. They get to meet and speak with the families – pre-covid when volunteering in the Houses, or when we welcome them to the trading floor - and more recently through virtual events and hand-written notes. RMHC UK need our support now more than ever and the celebration week has kick-started our support this year!”– Graeme Pearson, Global Head of Research and Head of Equities, Europe, RBC Capital Markets
The partnership between RBC and Ronald McDonald House Charities is truly global and growing year on year. Staff volunteer and fundraise across North America, Europe and Asia with RMHC a beneficiary of RBC Race for the Kids events in Sydney, Kuala Lumpur, Minnesota and New York. The Charity has also been part of the annual RBC Trade for the Kids for the past three years.
RBC is committed to making a positive and measurable impact on the communities in which we live and work. Read more about the broad range of community initiatives that we support in Europe.