Dawn Meats and former Munster and Ireland rugby star Alan Quinlan both teamed up today to support the Ronald McDonald House.  Also on hand today to support the organisation was award winning Chapter One chef Ross Lewis who cooked lunch for the residents.

All were on hand for the launch of an appeal for volunteer cooks and corporate food donors to sign up to support families with sick children by volunteering their time and / or produce.

At the launch Dawn Meats, a long term supporter of The Ronald McDonald House committed to providing fresh red meat for the House, and simple recipes for volunteer cooks can be found at www.thepremiumbutcher.ie/blog/category/recipes

2014 marks the 10th anniversary of the opening of The Ronald McDonald House in Crumlin. Today, the charity is calling on individuals and companies to assist in providing a “home from home”, including home-cooked meals and a welcoming environment for the families of extremely ill children receiving treatment in the hospital.

The Ronald McDonald House is in the early stages of a fundraising drive in anticipation of the construction of a 50 bedroom house on the grounds of the new National Children’s Hospital, which is due for completion in 2018. By developing a roster of volunteer cooks and regular food donors it is hoped that the House will become self sustaining and a seamless support to families caring for sick children.

Commenting today, The Ronald McDonald House CEO, Marian Carroll said “Today’s event perfectly captures what our work is all about. Our operations depend on the generosity of the public, particularly in giving their time and donating supplies for the house. We are delighted to welcome Ross Lewis to our kitchen, his support is hugely appreciated. He has cooked for the families staying here using quality Irish beef provided by Dawn Meats. We think it’s a wonderful template for other Irish food producers as good food is critical to the health of all family members seeking to support a sick child.

This is just one example of the variety of ways that individuals or companies can become involved. Cooking for the families is a particularly popular option with many companies, and as you can imagine, it is hugely appreciated after a long day in the hospital.”

Award-winning chef Ross Lewis continued, “It’s a pleasure to be involved with the superb work of The Ronald McDonald House. High-quality home cooked food and a welcoming environment are key ingredients to help families through very difficult times. This is a wonderful opportunity to lend support in a very meaningful and practical way. People can make a real difference and all volunteers are welcome.”

Image: Pictured at the launch are chef Ross Lewis, The Ronald McDonald House CEO, Marian Carroll; Group Commercial Director, Dawn Meats, Richard Clinton; rugby star Alan Quinlan; and Head Development Chef, Dawn Meats, Dermott Slade.”

Marc O’Sullivan Photography