I WOULD WALK…79 MILES? ICONIC PROCLAIMERS TRACK GETS A HEARTWARMING REMAKE THANKS TO McDONALD’S AND PIXIE LOTT, IN SUPPORT OF RONALD McDONALD HOUSE UK

I WOULD WALK…79 MILES? ICONIC PROCLAIMERS TRACK GETS A HEARTWARMING REMAKE THANKS TO McDONALD’S AND PIXIE LOTT, IN SUPPORT OF RONALD McDONALD HOUSE UK

• Pixie Lott, in partnership with McDonald’s, wrote and recorded ‘I’m Gonna Be (‘79 Miles)’; a reimagining of The Proclaimers’ iconic track, alongside families supported by Ronald McDonald House UK 
• This follows data released by Ronald McDonald House UK that found families travel 79 miles on average* to visit their children in hospital
• The track, recorded with Craig & Charlie Reid’s support, marks a key moment in McDonald’s almost 40-year partnership with the charity in the UK
• All proceeds will go to Ronald McDonald House UK and Ronald McDonald House Ireland to help their work in supporting families with children in hospital

LONDON, 18^TH MAY 2026: The iconic 80s hit ‘I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)’ has been reimagined by pop star and mother-of-two, Pixie Lott, with a unique take on its legendary lyrics.  Almost 40 years since its original release, McDonald’s and Ronald McDonald House UK today launch ‘I’m Gonna Be (79 Miles)’ to highlight the average distance a family will travel to be with their seriously ill or injured child in hospital. 

The release of the song, with the blessing of The Proclaimers’ Craig & Charlie Reid, follows new data from Ronald McDonald House UK showing that families supported by the charity travel an average of 79 miles to be close to their child throughout their medical journey, often losing precious time together during already difficult moments. The charity removes these barriers by helping families with children in hospital stay close and providing a space to call home, minutes away from hospital wards. 

With brand new lyrics written by Pixie in collaboration with families supported by the charity, the track captures the emotional and physical journeys experienced by families in these challenging situations and raises awareness of Ronald McDonald House UK’s vital work.

Harnessing the musical talents of four families from across the UK and Ireland, the band was made up of the following members:

• Aidan Hawes, who stayed 72 miles from home for 14 nights in Ronald McDonald House Arrowe Park in the Wirral whilst his son Theodore underwent treatment for Hypoxic Ischaemic Encephalopathy, caused by oxygen deprivation at birth.
• Dean Amer, who stayed 55 miles from home for 186 nights in Ronald McDonald House Southampton after his son Rafi contracted E coli which led to complications including sepsis, pneumonia, cardiac arrests, strokes and a brain injury.
• Elliot Hibbert, whose family stayed 72 miles from home for five nights in Ronald McDonald House Camberwell whilst he underwent brain surgery.
• Lisa Gaffney and Séan Wall, who stayed 75 miles from home for 227 nights in Ronald McDonald House Dublin to be near daughter, Tilly, whilst she was in hospital being treated for a rare congenital defect known as 'Pierre Robin Sequence' which impacted her ability to breathe.

Pixie Lott and the band also starred in a music video, which showcases personal videos from families whose lived experiences are the inspiration behind the song. Featuring children who underwent treatment, alongside their siblings, the video serves as a celebration of their collective experiences, and the community and support that the charity has provided. 

Pixie Lott was drawn to the campaign after hearing the stories of families supported by Ronald McDonald House UK, and the emotional reality of the journeys they make to stay close to their children in hospital.

Pixie said: “As a singer, it’s so special to be given the blessing to reimagine such an iconic song; but as a parent, it’s the meaning behind ‘I’m Gonna Be (‘79 Miles)’ that matters most. Being part of a campaign that raises awareness for this incredible charity - and performing alongside such wonderful people and musicians – has been an honour. Please join me in supporting McDonald’s, Ronald McDonald House UK and Ronald McDonald House Ireland to help more families stay close to their children when they need it most.”  

Ronald McDonald House UK has worked with McDonald’s, its founding and forever partner, for almost forty years. Last year, with the support of McDonald’s and its Franchisees, Ronald McDonald House UK accommodated 8,488 families, who stayed for an average of 16 nights, and saved families from travelling a total of 10 million miles to and from hospital.

Since the charity was established in the UK in 1989, McDonald’s and its Franchisees have raised over £140 million - vital funds that have supported the construction and running of fourteen Ronald McDonald Houses across the UK.

Lauren Schultz, Chief Executive Officer, McDonald’s UK & Ireland, said: “Keeping families together, especially when they have a seriously ill or injured child, is something that’s hugely important to McDonald’s. With the help of our customers, crew and Franchisees, we’ve been proud to support Ronald McDonald House UK since 1989.

Ronald McDonald House holds a special place in my heart, as I began my career with the charity in the Chicago Head Quarters. With the launch of ‘I’m Gonna Be (‘79 Miles)’, we hope to shine a light on the real journeys families face when their child is in hospital. By sharing these powerful stories, we hope to raise awareness of the charity’s vital work and help ensure families across the UK can continue to stay close to their children when it matters most.”

Ella Joseph, Chief Executive Officer at Ronald McDonald House UK, said: “We’re incredibly excited about this campaign and deeply grateful to Pixie Lott and the entire McDonald’s family, from customers and crew to Franchisees, as well as the families who generously shared their stories and experiences, helping to raise vital funds and awareness of our work.

“When a child is seriously ill or injured, families don’t just want to visit, they want to stay close, informed and involved in their child’s care. Yet many families travel long distances, often at huge emotional and financial cost, at a time when life already feels overwhelming. At Ronald McDonald House UK, we remove those barriers by providing free accommodation just minutes from children’s hospital wards, giving families a place to rest, maintain everyday routines and support one another for as long as their child needs hospital care.

“‘I’m Gonna Be (79 Miles)’ powerfully brings these journeys to life and shines a light on the reality families face every day. Thanks to the generosity of McDonald’s and the passion Pixie has brought to this project, this campaign will help us reach more families, keep them close to their children, and support them through some of the hardest moments of their lives.”

Ronald McDonald House UK will also be launching a new fundraising challenge following the campaign launch. ‘The 79-Mile Mission’ invites people to run, walk, swim, wheel or cycle 79 miles during July, reflecting the average distance families travel to be with a seriously ill or injured child – all to raise vital funds to support more families in these situations. To find out more visit https://rmh.sync.giving/79-mile-mission.

‘I’m Gonna Be (79 Miles)’ is available now on streaming platform Spotify, with the music video live on YouTube. All proceeds from the track will go directly to Ronald McDonald House UK and Ronald McDonald House Ireland to help support families with seriously ill or injured children in hospital. Customers can also donate the cash equivalent of their MyMcDonald’s Rewards points to Ronald McDonald House UK through the McDonald’s App, donate in-restaurant at kiosks and tills or via www.ronaldmcdonaldhouse.org.uk

To find out more about how you can support Ronald McDonald House, visit: https://www.mcdonalds.com/gb/en-gb/good-to-know/ronald-mcdonald-house-charities.html

– ENDS –

For more information, contact the McDonald’s press office on 0203 897 0333 or bigmacs@ready10.media.

Notes to editors

* Average distance lived from the hospital by families supported by Ronald McDonald House UK (miles)

Source: Ronald McDonald House UK official figures, 2025

Case studies and further information on the Ronald McDonald House UK and Ronald McDonald House Ireland families that performed on the track are available on request.

About McDonald’s   

McDonald’s has been operating in the UK since 1974. The business currently operates more than 1,560 restaurants across the UK and Ireland, serving over three million customers each day.

About Ronald McDonald House UK

Ronald McDonald House UK helps families with children in hospital cope with the practical and emotional challenges they face. They provide a place families can stay together for weeks, months or even years while their child is being treated in hospital.

• Ronald McDonald House UK has been working with McDonald’s since the Charity was founded in the UK in 1989.
• Located just minutes from children’s wards at 14 NHS hospitals across the UK, their Houses allow families to be at their child’s bedside within moments. 
• Since 1989, McDonald’s and its Franchisees have raised an estimated £140 million for the Charity which goes towards the running and building of Ronald McDonald Houses across the UK.
• As well as donating part of their profits, McDonald’s and its Franchisees also hold annual fundraising days, provide free office space, business resources and advertising.
• Ronald McDonald Houses are more than just a place to stay. They offer practical support, welcoming shared spaces and a compassionate team, as well as the comfort of connecting with other families who understand what they are going through.
• Since the charity’s founding in 1989 they have supported more than 100,000 families.
• In 2025, the charity accommodated 8,488 families, who stayed for an average of 16 nights.
• In 2025, Ronald McDonald House UK saved families, on average, from travelling 79 miles to and from hospital each day to be with their child. In total, families were saved from travelling more than 10 million miles to and from hospital.

For more information, visit www.ronaldmcdonaldhouse.org.uk and Communities - Our Plan For Change | McDonald's UK