Lahjoita

Ronald McDonald House

When your own child becomes severely ill, everything changes in that moment. The Finnish RMHC House has been there to support families of severely sick children already for 24 years!

The care of small patients in need of demanding specialist medical treatment is concentrated at the HUS New Children’s Hospital in Helsinki. Each child receives the best possible care in the hospital, but having family close-by is also necessary for recovery.

The Ronald McDonald House offers a home-like environment for families coming to Helsinki from all over Finland, when their own home is far away. In the House, families can live and build up strength to pass on to their child. Some families stay with us for a few days or weeks, some even for months. We know that the presence of the whole family, including siblings, contributes to the child’s recovery.

As close to a home as one can get, as close to a hospital as one has to be.

Donate

Coming to stay in the House

The home-like Ronald McDonald House is located less than a kilometer from the HUS New Children’s Hospital, at Oksakoskenpolku 6, 00250 Helsinki. The House consists of three separate log frame wooden houses with a total of 14 peaceful family rooms. Each house also has comfortable common areas. For those arriving by car, there is free parking in the yard.

Applying to stay in the House

The HUS New Children’s Hospital directs families to live in the Ronald McDonald House. If your family wishes to stay at the House, please contact the department of the New Children’s Hospital where your child will be treated. The hospital will send your accommodation application to the House. You can inquire about the room status after sending the application and 3 – 4 days before your arrival by calling the House office (phone 09 – 4780 1600) on weekdays (Monday-Friday) from 9 am to 4 pm.

Accommodation costs

The accommodation fee is 35,18€/parent/per night. If the family is entitled to receive support from KELA (the Social Insurance Institution of Finland), they will cover 20,18€/parent/per night – in this case, parents pay only 15€/person/per night. Sisters and brothers of the patient are warmly welcome to stay in the House, a fee of 15€/night is also applied to siblings who are 4 years old or older. If other extended family members (such as grandparents) come to stay in the House, they pay 35€/person/per night. The parent living in the House also pays for their accommodation while staying overnight in the hospital if the parent uses the House’s services during the day.

Please don’t try to make it on your own – help for the family of a sick child

The social workers of the hospital are there to support families with a low threshold, and their goal is to make it easier for the family to keep up with normal life. You can ask for help, for example, with worries related to coping with everyday life, for arranging help at home, and with questions related to financial matters.

 

Space to breathe, peace in your own room

The Blue, Yellow and Green Houses located in our lush garden area contain a separate spacious room for each family with three beds as standard (the rooms can also accommodate an extra bed/baby bed), a desk, and a private bathroom. Each room is stocked with soft towels, warm blankets, fresh sheets, a hairdryer, and a fan.

Our house is a peaceful and home-like place where families take care of their own daily chores such as cooking, washing personal laundry, and cleaning their own room. It is the responsibility of each family to take care of the cleanliness of the premises as a community (garbage removal, general cleanliness) and families must be considerate of the other residents on a daily basis.

360-panoramic presentation

Smooth everyday life in common areas

Our House is like a well-equipped home. In each cozy House, you can find quiet reading nooks with books, and we also receive a donation of newspapers and magazines (Helsingin Sanomat & HBL) for families to read. It is nice to chat with other residents in the common areas. The common lounges have a TV, computer, and game consoles. The House also has free WIFI for residents.

Each House also has a shared kitchen that is fully equipped – each family has its own refrigerator and dry goods cabinet. The kitchen is suited for cooking for a large group or making morning coffee. Our sponsors provide oats for porridge, coffee, tea, spices and margarine for families to use.

A washing machine, tumble dryer, and fragrance-free detergents are available for personal laundry. Even during a longer stay, everyday life is simple – you can take care of chores easily at the House, and thus you have more time for what is most important, supporting your sick child.

We have also taken siblings into account – the House has a wide range of toys and games. In addition, there are two large playrooms on our premises. There is also a playground for the youngest of the family in our safe yard.

The playroom of the Blue House has been renovated by Bo LKV together with design partners.

We promote the well-being of the whole family

The hospital takes good care of the patient and we take good care of the family. At the House, everyone can rest by themselves when they wish, but you can also always find valuable peer support and families in a similar situation, from whom you can certainly get support. Some lifelong friendships have been formed at the House.

Adults of the families have the opportunity to visit the gym and group exercise classes at Meilahti Liikuntakeskus, visible from our yard, free of charge.

Families can relax in the summer in our lush garden. The proximity of the seaside also allows you to clear your head and spend time outdoors. Families can also borrow bicycles from the House, so it’s easy to get to the hospital and to outdoor activities such as going to Seurasaari.

 
360-panoramic presentation

When you come to the House, what should you bring with you?

It’s easy to come to us, families mainly only need to take care of bringing their own personal items and food.

In the kitchens and laundry rooms of the Houses, you can find, among other things, coffee, tea, spices, and detergents donated by our sponsors. Sheets and towels are also ready at the House.

For small residents, the House has highchairs, sitters, baby beds, and strollers to make everyday life easier. Electric breast pumps, for which each used needs to have their own set of tubing, are also available in each House.

Events

RMHC Finland celebrates 30 years on July 1, 2026

The principles and values of the McDonald’s have always included giving back part of the profit to the common good and society. In accordance with this principle, McDonald’s Finland established a foundation in 1996 – at a time when corporate responsibility was not talked about nearly as much as it is today, if at all. As a result of numerous fundraising events and the work of many different donors, the Ronald McDonald House was opened in Vähä-Meilahti on March 14, 2002.

During all these years (2002-2025), more than 10,000 families with seriously ill children have lived in our House and almost 32,000 people have stayed overnight. All families have always been directed to the House by HUS Children’s Hospital. Ronald McDonald House is located near the HUS New Children’s Hospital, but still in complete peace and quiet in the middle of a beautiful and cozy courtyard near the sea.

We warmly thank everyone for their support over these 30 years – without you our journey would not have been possible and thousands of families around Finland would not have been able to be close to their seriously ill child when the child needs their family the most.

CHARITY GALA on October 22nd – location: Hotel Clarion Helsinki

We are hosting again our emotional charity gala! This night will be full of wonder – delicious food, exciting program and sparkle.

Choose a suitable package for your company:

  • dinner table package: a table for 8 persons at 2200 € (+vat). Inc. 3-course dinner, a welcome drink and dinner wine package
  • sponsor package: dinner table for 8 persons and visibility in all materials at 7200 € (+vat)

 

Contact person: Johanna Huhtariihi / johanna.huhtariihi(at)rml.fi / Tel. +358 40 5161 880

OUR 30th CHARITY GOLF TOURNAMENT on August 20th – location: Pickala Golf (Forest Court)

Participating in our annual Golf Tournament you will have the opportunity to spend a warm-hearted day with other golfers playing for a good cause: whether you are a golf pro or a beginner, there is place for everyone in our tournament.

Choose a suitable package for your company:

  • player team of 2, price at 1100 € (+vat)
  • visibility package at 900 € (+vat)
  • combo (team+visibility) 1700 € (+vat)

Contact person: Leena Lehtovaara / leena.lehtovaara(at)rml.fi / Tel. +358 40 5449 175

Invitation

The Foundation

Background

The Finnish Ronald McDonald House Charity Foundation was founded in 1996. As a result of the foundation’s charitable work which started 30 years ago, the Ronald McDonald House was opened in Helsinki on March 14, 2002.

The HUS New Children’s Hospital cares for small patients from all over Finland who need the most demanding treatments. The hospital takes good care of the child and the patient will certainly receive the best possible treatment there – our job is to take good care of the patients’ families.

Objective

The Ronald McDonald House Charity foundation aims primarily at:

1. Collecting funds to maintain the House and keep accommodation costs low for families.

2. Providing a home-like setting in our House for the families of children coming to the New Children’s Hospital for treatment from all across the country.

3. Working to promote the well-being of the whole family when a child’s illness changes the family’s life.

The Board

Our foundation’s board members bring strong support to our operations through their own expertise.

Petri Munkki, chairman of the Board / Gofore
Jessica Jokinen, Food Folk Suomi Oy
Pia Kaikkonen, Dittmar & Indrenius Attorneys Ltd.
Tuomo Kotialho, A-Insinöörit
Katja Laine, Sydänlapset ja -aikuiset ry.
Miia Makkonen, McDonald’s franchisee
Marko Sauren, McDonald’s franchisee
Outi Simonen, HUS New Children’s Hospital
Anne Soininen, private senior advisor
Mikael Tuompo, private senior advisor

RMHC internationally

“When a child becomes seriously ill, the whole family is affected” said the pediatrician and oncologist Dr. Audrey Evans, who holds a special place in our history and in our hearts. Dr. Evans worked for what we now call family-centered care. She understood that families need to be close to each other during the child’s treatment and 50 years ago she made her vision a reality when the first Ronald McDonald House opened in Philadelphia. We will always be grateful to Dr. Evans’ commitment and today we want to honor her outstanding work that made a big difference worldwide.

We are part of the international RMHC network which operates in 62 countries, there are already close to 400 Ronald McDonald Houses around the world. RMHC positively impacts the lives of the families of millions of sick children every year. With the support of the network, we get access to the latest research results, we get to share ideas with our international colleagues and the opportunity for free trainings – we use these in our operations to serve families even better.

Read more

Volunteering

Volunteering is an important part of the Ronald McDonald House’s activities. We are striving to take the well-being of the whole family even more into account by developing our volunteer activities, among other things. We also cooperate with other organizations, such as The Finnish Association for Heart Children and Adults (Sydänlapset ja -aikuiset), HelsinkiMissio, Kympin Lapset and Leijonaemot.

As a volunteer, your participation in the daily life of the House is dependent on your own situation – you can come and help for an hour or two when it suits you best. For example, you can take part in doing some yard work, help out in the garden, bake, help out in the office, or do small repairs, helping make everyday life easier for our families in your own way. Helping hands are always needed! As a reward for your time, you will feel good and make new friends.

If you are interested in volunteering and you are of legal age, feel free to contact the House by phone at 09-4780 1600 on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. or by emailing leena.lehtovaara(at)rml.fi.

 

Mother Susanna and daughter Rosa have been volunteers at the House since the summer of 2018. At that time, Rosa returned to Finland after her exchange studies in Switzerland and was looking for a meaningful way to spend some time before the start of the new semester.

“My mother (Susanna) suggested the activities of the Ronald McDonald House, which she remembered from over 10 years ago, when she took me and my brothers to a nearby school.”

About 10 years ago, I came to the RMHC House to ask if I could somehow help out. Since nutrition is close to my heart, I have mostly helped in the kitchen. It is an honor to offer tasty food to those helping out in the in the yardwork events. Christmas mornings in the hall of the Blue House with traditional and heartwarming decorations is always exceptional. You can clearly feel the joy of the little residents the House when they get a plate of steaming Christmas porridge and can forget, even for a moment, that the family is spending this Christmas far from home. That joy is the best thank you for volunteering! – Raili

I started as a volunteer at the House through HelsinkiMissio in the summer of 2020, so I only have a little experience so far. I have helped with small repairs that occur commonly in homes. The best part of the job is helping the small patients and their families in this way. There aren’t many memories to share yet, but with a nice group it’s easy to help! -Mauri

I started as a volunteer in June 2019. I wanted to participate because as a child I myself was in the hospital a lot at the then Children’s Clinic and Children’s Castle due to childhood epilepsy, among other things. Now helping the families of other children in the hospital feels very important.

At the House, I do whatever is needed, e.g., I bake, cook, or rake. Working with children is close to my heart, and sometimes you can do that here, for example by organizing time for arts and crafts. The best thing about volunteering is meeting people, and especially when the family you’ve gotten to know gets to go home together again after a hospital stay.

My favorite memories from the House are the Christmas card crafting I did around Christmas 2019, where we made many nice cards with the families for loved ones and the hospital staff while listening to Christmas carols. The visit to the New Children’s Hospital made with other volunteers was also memorable. – Jenni

Our wonderful volunteers have helped us, for example:

Hand drawn icon of hand with hearts

By knitting woolen socks, sewing baby clothes, and baking wonderful cakes for families.

Hand drawn icon of house

By doing various tasks in property maintenance and in the yard, for example, mowing the lawn in the summer.

Red star with a heart in the center and lines representing radiant action

New ideas and suggestions are also warmly welcome, how would you like to help?

Business co-operation

When your own child becomes severely ill, everything changes in that moment. The demanding treatment of many children’s diseases, such as heart surgery, organ transplants, and the treatment of challenging cancers, is concentrated at the HUS New Childrens’ Hospital – that’s why families from all over Finland have to come here to Helsinki. Treatment can last up to several months. In this situation, it is important that the family can cook for themselves, do their laundry, and take care of everyday life in a place that is as close to home as possible. Also taking into consideration the siblings in the family.

The foundation has ready-made products and the opportunity to make customized solutions for companies’ needs. All our partners get visibility on our website as agreed, and we also promote our corporate partners in our own social media channels in agreed ways. Together, let’s tell a story that is just right for your company to support families all over Finland. Contact: johanna.huhtariihi(at)rml.fi or 040-5161880

All fundraising that is carried out in the name of the foundation complies with Finnish legislation. The foundation has a money collection permit issued by the National Police Board 05/2020 that is valid until further notice. The money collection permit number is RA/2020/572.

Do a good deed – help our families

The goal of the foundation is to collect funds so that the accommodation costs for families are as low as possible. Help families with us by supporting our activities!

Why do we need corporate partners to help us help families?

  • The non-profit foundation does not receive any public funding, our activities are mainly financed by private and corporate donations. Our biggest corporate supporters are the McDonald’s franchisees along with the company, their support covers about 25% of our operating costs.
  • All donations are used directly to promote the well-being of families and to maintain the houses.

Corporate Social Responsibility in action

As a corporate partner, you directly help families who come to us from all over Finland – this is how you put your company’s social responsibility into effect in a practical way. You are always informed of what the funds are used for, what is happening at the House, and what plans the foundation has for maintaining the House. We are happy to help all our corporate partners by producing material for your own use and by planning good deeds together for the benefit of the families living at the House.

Tailored possibilities for co-operation

The foundation has ready-made products and the opportunity to make customized solutions for companies’ needs. All our partners get visibility on our website as agreed, and we also promote our corporate partners in our own social media channels in agreed ways. Together, let’s tell a story that is just right for your company to support families all over Finland. Contact: johanna.huhtariihi(at)rml.fi or 040-5161880

All fundraising that is carried out in the name of the foundation complies with Finnish legislation. The foundation has a money collection permit issued by the National Police Board 05/2020 that is valid until further notice. The money collection permit number is RA/2020/572.

Contact information

Ronald McDonald House
Oksakoskenpolku 6, 00250 Helsinki
Tel. +358 (0)9 47801600 (Monday-Friday 9-16)

Business ID 1088685-3
Online invoices: Electronic Data Interchange 003710886853, operator PostNord Strålfors

Johanna Huhtariihi
Ronald McDonald House Charities – Executive Director
johanna.huhtariihi(at)rml.fi

Leena Lehtovaara
Ronald McDonald House – House Manager
leena.lehtovaara(at)rml.fi

Haku