During the past two years the firm has handed over a total of £1,560 which is enough to provide 62 nights’ accommodation for families when they need it most.

His granddaughter Lacey-Mae, was born with a condition called congenital diaphragmatic hernia and had to spend a lot of time in hospital undergoing treatment.

The little girl suffered serious internal complications as a result of the condition, which left her with an underdeveloped lung.She died from pneumonia at just seven-months-old in January last year.

John, from Abbey Meads, said: “While she was in the John Radcliffe Hospital her parents were excellently looked after in the Ronald McDonald House. They provided them with a place to stay to enable them to be close to their little girl and also give the emotional and physical support they needed.”

Her mum Rebecca and dad Dan spent a good deal of time at the hospital where she was being treated on the children’s ward.

“My daughter lives in Swindon so she needed to be there as her baby was fighting for her life. So it’s such an excellent thing that they do,” he said. “If a baby is really poorly and you’re living far away it’s difficult, even if you’re sitting by your baby’s bedside you need to shower and eat.”

“Booking hotels or rent is expensive, so for them to offer this service it’s incredible. They have it all there washing machines, dryers and a kitchen. It’s also highly likely someone else may need it from this company so it will benefit people.”

The charity provided Rebecca and Dan with somewhere to stay on the top floor of the hospital. But in May last year, after a major fundraising effort, it opened a purpose-built facility with 62 bedrooms, kitchens and a garden.