Celebrate McHappy Day with Macca’s this Saturday

11 November 2024: With just five days to go, McHappy Day ambassadors Ricki-Lee and Joel Creasey are spending quality time with seriously ill or injured children and their families while undergoing surgery or treatment in hospital, in the lead up to McHappy Day this Saturday 16 November.

Anticipation continues to build with Macca’s restaurants across Australia gearing up for a day filled with fun, smiles and most importantly, giving back to families in need through Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC).

Beloved singer-songwriter and radio and television presenter Ricki-Lee, and comedian and radio and television presenter Joel are calling on Aussies to get involved in McHappy Day in any way they can over the coming week.

Whether you’re looking to collect exclusive Grimace and McNugget Buddies Silly Socks, give back with a Big Mac, or make your mark with a Helping Hand - McHappy Day is all about bringing people and communities together to raise funds for a good cause.

Our favourite purple pal Grimace has also been spotted making surprise appearances around the country over the last month, spreading good vibes and fun times in support of McHappy Day, with his world famous Grimace Shake that won’t be around for much longer.

McHappy Day is the largest annual fundraiser for RMHC, raising essential funds to help families of seriously ill or injured children, while undergoing treatment or surgery in hospital.

Aussies can help raise funds for McHappy Day by:

• buying a Big Mac on McHappy Day (Saturday 16 November) with $2 from every Big Mac ordered going directly to RMHC;
• purchasing a pair of Grimace or McNugget Buddies Fold-Down Silly Socks for $5.95, and Helping Hands for $2, $10 or $50, with all profits going directly to RMHC; and,
• making a direct donation online at rmhc.org.au/give.

Ricki-Lee, Ambassador for McHappy Day said “20 years ago, I had the opportunity to visit a Ronald McDonald House which really left an imprint on me, and for the last two decades I’ve been supporting the charity because of the positive impact it has for seriously ill or injured children and their families.

“It’s such an important cause – the work that Ronald McDonald House Charities does and the money that is raised is essential to continue supporting these families while undergoing treatment or surgery in hospital” Ricki-Lee said.

Joel Creasey, Ambassador for McHappy Day said, “Having a home away from home like Ronald McDonald House when your child is seriously ill or injured is crucial, because all you are thinking about is the wellbeing of your child. The fact that there is a comfortable and safe House, food, bed and somewhere to just collapse at the end of day when you’ve been waiting for news, or your child’s been undergoing treatment or surgery in hospital – it’s so fortunate that they have the Ronald McDonald House to come back to.

“Come along on Saturday, order a Big Mac and have some fun – it’s the largest fundraiser for Ronald McDonald House Charities and they really rely on the generosity of Aussies, with even the smallest of donations making a huge difference to the lives of these families”, Joel said.

Amanda Nakad, Marketing Director for McDonald’s Australia said, “Over the past 32 years, McHappy Day has raised over $67 million to help Ronald McDonald House Charities continue to support seriously ill or injured children and their families - this wouldn’t be possible without the support of our crew, customers and community.

“This week, helping a family in need can be as simple as adding an iconic Big Mac to your Macca’s order on Saturday, picking up some cool Grimace or McNugget Buddies Silly Socks, or a Helping Hand.

“McHappy Day is all about bringing people together to make a positive impact - so head into your local Macca’s this week for McHappy Day and help us make a difference to families of seriously ill or injured children.”

Barbara Ryan, Chief Executive Officer for Ronald McDonald House Charities Australia said, “The funds raised from McHappy Day play a crucial role in providing vital assistance to families supported by Ronald McDonald House Charities, keeping families together and close to the care they need.

“Last year, McHappy Day raised a staggering $6.4 million - providing more than 40,000 nights of accommodation and support for seriously ill or injured children and their families, while undergoing treatment or surgery in hospital.

“We’re calling on everyone’s support again this year so we can continue to help even more families where and when it’s needed most.”

McDonald’s launched McHappy Day in Australia in 1991 to help raise vital funds for Ronald McDonald House Charities. There are now 19 Ronald McDonald Houses nationally, with the charity supporting over 64,000 Aussie families with seriously ill or injured children each year across all their Programs.

In addition to providing a home away from home, Ronald McDonald House Charities has a range of programs including Family Rooms, Family Retreats, Hospitality Carts and a National Learning

Program to support families through and after their child’s challenging hospital journey and ongoing recovery.

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

ENDS

McHappy Day Fast Facts

• McHappy Day is on Saturday 16 November
• Aussies can also get behind McHappy Day:
  • During McHappy Time (from now until Saturday 16 November) - purchasing a pair of Grimace or McNugget Buddies Fold-Down Silly Socks for $5.95, 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
• Since McHappy Day began in 1991, the Australian public has raised more than $67 million for
• 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

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 and supported 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
• 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
• 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

• 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

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.