Firm backs charity in memory of Ryan
ACOMPANY founded in Hazel Grove has launched a campaign to raise money for Ronald McDonald House Charities, to help a family who lost their little boy to a rare form of leukaemia.
Joanne Linder, aged 34 and originally from Cooperative Street in Hazel Grove, owns Vintage Twee and met the family of Ryan Anderson at a bereavement support group in Adswood.
Joanne was attending the group after losing her own mum and discovered that Ryan had passed away on the same day as her mum July 31, 2017, when he was just 21 months old.
She has launched the #powerofthepounds campaign, in which she is asking people to donate £2, in a bid to raise £5,000 for Ronald McDonald House Charities, which provides free accommodation for families with a child in hospital.
The charity helps alleviate some of the financial and emotional burdens the families can face and they can stay as long as they need to.
A donation of £5,000 will also mean a room at the Manchester House, where Ryan’s family stayed, will be sponsored with a plaque in his name.
Ryan’s dad Dean Harrison, mum Samantha Anderson and older sister Sophie Anderson, aged 12, were supported by the charity during Ryan’s illness and time in hospital.
The family faced additional financial pressures when Samantha lost her job and almost lost their home.
They said: “Your help would mean the world to us as a family. Ryan will not get to have his first day at school or any other special days, but by reaching our target he can help another family who are going though the same thing as we did.
“It was an honour to be his dad, mum and sister and we will always be so proud of Ryan.
“Your donations will enable the Ronald McDonald House Charities to continue the work they do to help families like ours and keep his memory alive.”
Joanne added: “When I met Ryan’s father Dean and learnt about what the family had been through, I instantly wanted to help them.
“I thought I could use my business to raise the profile of their fundraising and get as many people as possible involved.
“I have launched the #powerofthepounds campaign where we are asking for just £2 - the minimum donation that we are able to process on our JustGiving fundraising page.
“We are hoping that by asking a little from a lot of people, we can achieve our target of £5000 by November 2018. It costs £25 to provide one night’s accommodation to a family in a Ronald McDonald House.
“The money we raise will keep many families in safe and comfortable accommodation for 200 nights, allowing them to rest, sleep and eat right across the corridor from their sick child.”
For more information and to donate, visit www. justgiving.com/crowdfunding/vt-for-ronald-mcdonald-houses.