Today marks a very impactful moment for not just Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) Southwestern Ontario, but also the Gawley family of Dresden who helped make the build of a new inclusive family space possible.
Today, and everyday, RMHC are honouring Fynnigan and the Gawley family with the launch of a new inclusive family space.
RMHC Southwestern Ontario has the pleasure of officially opening the Fynn and Friends Den, a space for caregivers, patients, and siblings to spend more time together at their ‘home-away-from-home’ inside RMH London.
Creating this multi-functional family space has been a long-term goal, and when sponsorship was secured from the Gawley family, it became a reality, RMHC officials say.
The Gawley family stayed at RMH London in 2017, and after experiencing the sudden loss of their son, over $65,000 in donations came pouring in from the Dresden community in Fynn’s honour, RMHC officials say.
With the design help of Marcy Mussari, winner of Canada’s Next Designer in 2016, Fynn and Friends Den encompasses a movie-theatre sized screen, cozy sitting area, a tree house and reading nook for kids, and a fitness center for adults.
“In the past year, plans to redesign space in the house led to the development of a family focused space with Fynn and his family in mind,” stated Tracey Keighley-Clarke, CEO Ronald McDonald House Charities Southwestern Ontario, in a media release.
“Fynn and Friends Den is a child and family space where children can play and imagine they are in a forest within view of a parent who can relax on a couch or release some healthy energy in a secure and fully visible exercise space.”
Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) Southwestern Ontario has three core programs – RMH London, RMH Windsor, and RM Family Room London each providing a ‘home-away-from-home’ for families with seriously ill children receiving medical care far from home.
More details are available at www.rmhc-swo.ca.
Here is a video of the grand opening:
