Saturday, 18 November 2023: Australia has celebrated McHappy Day today, with Aussie stars making surprise visits to their local McDonald’s restaurants across the nation, serving Big Macs and helping to fundraise in support of Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC).

McHappy Day is the largest annual fundraiser for RMHC, which helps seriously ill and injured children and their families stay together while receiving medical care in a nearby hospital.

Candice Warner, who brought her three daughters into a McDonald’s restaurant in Sydney’s inner west, while her husband David prepares for the ICC Cricket World Cup Final in India, said: “I’ve brought my three young daughters here today to show them the importance of giving back.

“There’s no greater cause to support than RMHC who support seriously ill and injured children and their families. McHappy Day is one of those iconic days we all celebrate together here in Australia, and it’s been so wonderful to be here on the ground with some of the families, and to witness what it’s really all about,” Warner said.

Aussies can still show their support for McHappy Day until midnight tonight by:

• Buying a Big Mac from their local Macca’s or via McDelivery, with $2 from every Big Mac sold going directly to RMHC.
• Picking up a pair of Silly Socks, or Helping Hands, or Macca’s Makers from their local Macca’s or via McDelivery.
• Making a donation in Macca’s restaurants, or online by visiting https://www.mchappyday.org.au/.

Barbara Ryan, CEO of RMHC Australia, said: “As the largest annual fundraiser for RMHC, McHappy Day is one of the most important days of the year and helps us raise much needed funds to support seriously ill or injured children and their families across Australia.

“We are incredibly grateful for the support and generosity Aussies’ have shown so far this year and know this will make a real difference to the lives of children and families in need across Australia.

“Every dollar counts and Aussies have until midnight to show their support through purchasing a Big Mac or picking up a pair of Silly Socks, Helping Hands or Macca’s Makers from their local Macca’s.”

Candice Warner is just one of many Aussie stars around the country who’ve come together over the past week and today to help raise much needed awareness and funding for McHappy Day, including: Sonia Kruger, Adam Gilchrist, Jude Bolton, Braith Anasta, Sarah Roberts, Kevin Sheedy, Alex Cullen, Deborah Knight, Anthony Koutafides, Marcus Bontempelli, Ellie Cole, Jordan Ivey, Lote Tuqiri, Ali Brigginshaw, Lachie Neale, Rebecca Morse, Shaun Burgoyne, Hannah Dunn, Andrew Brayshaw and more!

Additionally, over the past month, throughout McHappy Time, ARIA award-winning singer songwriter Amy Shark, The Block’s Dan Reilly, Australian Tennis royalty Dylan Alcott, NRL Legend Gorden Tallis, Sydney Swans’ great Josh Kennedy with Isaac Heeney, Montana Ham and Chloe Molloy, and Parramatta Eels’ Elsie Albert, Abbi Church, Rachel Pearson and Junior Paulo have popped up on TV screens around the country as part of the official McHappy Day advertising campaign, reminding Aussies to ‘give back with a Big Mac’!

This year, Macca’s released Macca’s Makers, a new and exclusive collector’s item to raise funds for McHappy Day. Macca’s Makers is a 56 piece limited-edition brick building set that’s available in all restaurants nationwide, with 100% of profits donated to RMHC.

McDonald’s launched McHappy Day in Australia in 1991 to help raise essential funds for Ronald McDonald House Charities. There are now 18 Ronald McDonald Houses nationally, with the charity caring for almost 35,000 families every year.

In addition to providing a home away from home, Ronald McDonald House Charities also runs Family Rooms, Hospitality Carts, Family Retreats and a National Learning Program to support families through their child’s challenging hospital journey and ongoing recovery.

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About RMHC

RMHC is an independent charity that helps seriously ill and injured children and their families.

The cornerstone program of RMHC, the Ronald McDonald House, provides a ‘home away from home’ for families
of seriously ill and injured children being treated at nearby hospitals. The Houses keep families close by giving parents and siblings the opportunity to stay together to support their sick loved ones. RMHC currently has 18 Houses throughout Australia accommodating more than 9,600 families annually.

Other Programs include the Ronald McDonald Family Room Program, which provides a relaxing haven within hospitals giving families a break from the stress of many hours spent at their
child’s bedside, and Ronald McDonald Hospitality Carts which support families at their child's bedside by offering free food, beverages and practical care items.

Throughout treatment the Ronald McDonald Family Retreat Program provides families with a seriously ill or injured child a week’s free accommodation at one of six Family Retreats across Australia, enabling them to relax, reset and enjoy special moments together.

The Ronald McDonald Learning Program supports children who have completed treatment to catch up on the education they have missed due to serious illness or injury. The Learning Program helps over 1200 students each year get back on track, build their confidence and makes the transition back to school much easier.

About McDonald’s Australia

Australia’s first McDonald’s restaurant opened in Yagoona, Sydney, in 1971. Today there are more than 1,025 McDonald’s restaurants across Australia, nearly 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 the largest employer of youth in the country. McDonald’s creates more than 3,000 new jobs each year and 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.