A charity supper at a Bedford McDonald’s has raised more than £3,500 to support a children’s ward appeal at Bedford Hospital.
The third ‘Dinner with a McDifference’ event took place at the Elms Parc restaurant, which was transformed for the evening into a formal dining space.
Guests were welcomed into a setting decorated with candelabras, floral displays and lights, as the restaurant was turned into a one-night charity venue.
Riverbank appeal
All funds raised will go towards the Bedford Hospital Charity & Friends’ Riverbank appeal.
The appeal aims to create a new stabilisation and treatment room on Riverbank Ward, providing privacy for seriously ill children and a controlled, clean-air environment.
The space will also be used to assess and care for children arriving from A&E or those coming directly to the ward for treatment.
Chair of Bedford Hospital Charity & Friends, Deborah Inskip, said the evening had been “a wonderful success”.
“The restaurant itself looked absolutely spectacular, with warm white twinkling lights reflected in all the windows, making it a magical environment,” she said.
Community effort
Deborah also highlighted the role of those behind the event, including the current and former owners of the restaurant.
“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,” she said.
“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.”
Staff praised
She also praised the staff who supported the event, many of whom came from other restaurants.
“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,” she said.
“It also meant they could work with colleagues they had not worked with before. They were fantastic.”
Organisers said they hope to hold similar events in future following the success of the evening.
