It’s the McHappiest time of the year with our Friends from McDonaldland

14 October 2024: Party time with our VIP (Very Important People) visitor isn’t over yet - and he’s brought some friends along too. After landing in Australia, Grimace is dropping his very own range of limited-edition Macca’s merch in collaboration with McNugget Buddies, to kick-start fundraising in the lead up to McHappy Day on Saturday 16 November.

From Wednesday 16 October, Aussies can snap up never-before-seen merch including Grimace Fold-Down Silly Socks, McNugget Buddies Fold-Down Silly Socks and a Reversible Bucket Hat featuring both Grimace and McNugget Buddies.

The new range for McHappy Day embodies everything Grimace and McNugget Buddies stand for - good vibes and fun times, with the cheerful support and warmth of our Friends from McDonaldland.

Grimace x McNugget Buddies Fold-Down Silly Socks and Reversible Bucket Hat will have you looking good while doing good in their playful designs, with 100 percent of profits going to Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC).

Organised by McDonald’s Australia, McHappy Day is the largest annual fundraiser for RMHC. It raises vital funds to help seriously ill or injured children and their families, while undergoing treatment or surgery in hospital.

Amanda Nakad, Marketing Director for McDonald’s Australia said, “What better way for Grimace to truly immerse himself in Aussie culture than by creating his own range of fashion staples, with the help of our beloved McNugget Buddies.

“Get ready to paint the town with Grimace and McNugget Buddies for the McHappiest time of the year, and help us raise funds for a cause very close to our hearts.

“While Grimace and McNugget Buddies are timeless icons, this merchandise range is only available while stocks last. So mark your calendars and head into your local Macca’s for the chance to be part of our next collector’s edition.”

All funds raised will help RMHC continue to support families in need through Ronald McDonald Houses, Family Rooms, Family Retreats, Hospitality Carts and the Learning Program.

Over the last 32 years, McHappy Day has raised over $67 million for RMHC, with local communities across the country proudly showing their support for those in need.

How Aussies can support McHappy Day:

• During McHappy Time (from Wednesday 16 October) - by purchasing a pair of Grimace or McNugget Buddies Fold-Down Silly Socks for $5.95, Grimace x McNugget Buddies Reversible Bucket Hat for $9.95, or Helping Hands for $2, $10 or $50, with all profits going directly to RMHC.
• On McHappy Day (Saturday 16 November) - by buying a Big Mac with $2 from every Big Mac sold going directly to RMHC.
• by making a direct donation online at rmhc.org.au/give

Grimace and McNugget Buddies Fold-Down Silly Socks and Reversible Bucket Hats will be available in Macca’s restaurants nationwide, via drive thru, kiosk and front counter, as well as the MyMacca’s app and McDelivery from Wednesday 16 October 2024 while stocks last.

The launch of the merch follows the arrival of the Grimace Shake and Grimace Meal, available in Macca’s restaurants across Australia for a limited time only.

For more information on McHappy Day, visit: www.rmhc.org.au/mchappyday

ENDS

McHappy Day Fast Facts

• McHappy Day is on Saturday 16 November 2024.

• Aussies can also get behind McHappy Day by:

  • During McHappy Time (from Wednesday 16 October) - purchasing a pair of Grimace or McNugget Buddies Fold-Down Silly Socks for $5.95, Grimace x McNugget Buddies Reversible Bucket Hat for $9.95, or Helping Hands for $2, $10 or $50, with all profits going directly to RMHC.

  • On McHappy Day (Saturday 16 November) - buying a Big Mac with $2 from every Big Mac sold going directly to RMHC.

  • Making a direct donation online at rmhc.org.au/give

• In 2023, McHappy Day raised over $6.4 million to help RMHC provide over 40,000 nights of a home away from home for seriously ill or injured children and their families, while undergoing treatment or surgery in hospital.
• Since McHappy Day began in 1991, the Australian public has raised more than $72 million for RMHC.
• All funds raised go towards helping RMHC continue to support families in need through Ronald McDonald Houses, Family Rooms, Family Retreats, Hospitality Carts and the Learning Program.
  
  

About McDonald’s Australia

Australia’s first McDonald’s restaurant opened in Yagoona, Sydney, in 1971. Today there are over 1,025 McDonald’s restaurants across Australia, approximately 85 percent of which are franchised and run by local businessmen and women. The organisation employs more than 115,000 people in restaurants and corporate offices Australia-wide and is one of the largest employers of youth in the country. McDonald’s spends over $60 million per annum on training and people development.

For more information, visit www.mcdonalds.com.au or McDonald’s social channels: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok or YouTube.

About Ronald McDonald House Charities

Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) is an independent charity that helps families with seriously ill and injured children.

The cornerstone Program of RMHC, the Ronald McDonald House, provides families a place to stay so they can be together and near the hospital where their child is receiving treatment. Staying at a House keeps families together and allows parents and siblings to focus on supporting their sick loved ones. RMHC currently has 19 Houses throughout Australia and accommodated over 10,800 families across Australia in 2023.

Other Programs include:

• Ronald McDonald Family Rooms within hospitals which allowed over 44,000 families in 2023 to take a break from long, emotional hours at their child’s bedside.

• Ronald McDonald Family Retreats that helped over 300 exhausted families in 2023 unwind and reconnect with each other. Families can enjoy up to a week of free accommodation, at one of six peaceful locations across Australia.

• Ronald McDonald Hospitality Carts provided comfort to over 7,000 families in 2023 by the bedside in hospitals by offering free snacks, beverages, boredom busters and practical care items.

• The Ronald McDonald Learning Program that assists students to catch up on the education they have missed following treatment and recovery. In 2023, over 1,200 students at any given time received one-on-one tuition through the Learning Program.