We were delighted to enjoy the third Dinner with a McDifference at McDonald’s Bedford Elms Parc, where a charity supper raised more than £3,500 for Bedford Hospital Charity & Friends’ Riverbank appeal.
For one night, the whole restaurant was transformed into a glittering dining space, with candelabras, floral displays and twinkling lights creating a magical setting for guests.
It was a memorable evening that brought people together in support of a cause that will make a real difference for local children and families.
All money raised from the event will go towards our Riverbank appeal, which is helping us create a future-proof stabilisation and treatment room on Riverbank Ward.
As well as providing privacy for very sick children, the room will provide a controlled, clean-air environment and will be used to assess and care for children who may arrive from A&E or come directly to Riverbank Ward for treatment.
Wonderful success
(l-r) Ismail Anilmis, High Sherrif of Bedfordshire and Claude Abi-Gerges with the McDonald’s team.
Chair of Bedford Hospital Charity & Friends, Deborah Inskip, described the evening as “a wonderful success”.
She said: “The restaurant itself looked absolutely spectacular, with warm white twinkling lights reflected in all the windows, making it a magical environment.
“None of this would have happened without the extremely kind generosity of this McDonald’s restaurant’s new owner, Claude Abi-Gerges, and, indeed, former owner, Ismail Anilmis.
“Ismail was wearing three hats that evening as he is also the High Sheriff of Bedfordshire and a Trustee of the charity. BHC&F is very close to the hearts of Ismail and Ann-Marie, his wife and former co-owner of the restaurant.
“Their generosity towards our charity, and to the wider community, has been truly outstanding.”
Riverbank Ward appeal
Deborah also highlighted the importance of the appeal and what the money raised will help provide on Riverbank Ward.
She said: “At the moment, we are working on creating a future-proof stabilisation and treatment room on Riverbank.
“Not only will this give privacy for very sick children, but it will also have a controlled, clean air environment and will be used to assess very sick children who may have come into A&E and then come to Riverbank for full care, or who may have come directly to Riverbank, depending on their treatment.”
She also praised the McDonald’s staff, who came together from various restaurants to support the event.
She said: “They did a brilliant job. They really enjoyed coming to do this because it gave them something very different that they could take pride in. It also meant they could work with colleagues they had not worked with before. They were fantastic.”
We are very grateful to everyone who supported the event and helped make it such a success. It was a wonderful evening, and a brilliant example of what can be achieved when people come together to support Bedford Hospital Charity & Friends.
Following such a positive response, we hope it may be possible to hold similar events in future.
