MCHAPPY TIME STARTS TODAY!

DONATE FROM NOW UNTIL MCHAPPY DAY, SATURDAY 18 NOVEMBER 2023

Wednesday, October 18, 2023: McHappy Day is set to take place on Saturday, November 18 with a collective group of true blue Aussie stars, including musicians, sportspeople and other household names, rallying to support as National McHappy Day Ambassadors in 2023.

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

McHappy Time – the month-long celebration leading up to McHappy Day – which commences today, will shine brighter than ever in 2023 thanks to a group of familiar Aussie faces who are coming together to help raise much needed awareness and funding for the cause. Over the month, 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 will pop up on TV screens around the country as part of the official advertising campaign to remind Aussies to ‘give back with a Big Mac’!

Joining previous alumni ambassadors Naomi Watts, Katie Holmes, Eva Longoria and Eva Mendes, Amy Shark said: “I am incredibly honoured to be a part of this year’s awesome lineup of Aussie greats, partnering with Macca’s to make a real difference, by raising awareness of McHappy Day and supporting the truly invaluable work of Ronald McDonald House Charities.

“During life’s toughest challenges, RMHC stands as a beacon of hope and support for seriously ill and injured children and their families. With open arms, they provide a nurturing haven where families can find comfort, solace and a community that understands. Their compassion and generosity are reflective of our Australian spirit, which is why I’m so passionate about helping RMHC ensure that families will never have to face these trials alone, allowing them to focus on what truly matters – being together and finding strength in unity.”

This year’s ambassadors will also meet with families staying at various Ronald McDonald Houses and visit their local McDonald’s restaurant on McHappy Day.

Dan Reilly said he is most looking forward to being involved in the fundraiser and meeting families who have been, or are currently being supported by Ronald McDonald House Charities.

“I’m eager to meet some brave little fighters and their families staying at a Ronald McDonald House, listening to their inspirational stories and witnessing first-hand the life-changing support programs provided by RMHC. If there’s any form of encouragement I’m able to offer through my role, I’ll be doing that in a really big way.”

This year, Macca’s has also launched a new range of Silly Socks featuring much-loved McDonaldland characters, Grimace and Hamburglar. Well-loved among the Aussie community, Silly Socks have long been a part of the McHappy Day fundraising program, with 100% of profits going directly towards RMHC.

Aussies looking to support this year’s McHappy Day can drop into their local Macca’s from October 18 to pick up a pair of Silly Socks, or a Helping Hand, and on McHappy Day, $2 from every Big Mac sold goes directly to Ronald McDonald House Charities.

Ronald McDonald House Charities Australia CEO, Barbara Ryan expressed her enthusiasm for this year’s fundraiser: “McHappy Day is a celebration that captures the spirit of giving, and this year’s group of Aussie stars truly embody the essence of generosity. I’m so excited to witness the positive impact they will bring to the lives of children and families in need.

“For more than three decades, McHappy Day has raised over $61 million to help keep Australian families of seriously ill and injured children together in their time of need. We’re calling for everyone’s support again this year to enable us to continue to help where and when it’s needed most,” said Barbara.

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, Family Retreats, Hospitality Carts and a National Learning Program to support families through and after their child’s challenging hospital journey and ongoing recovery.

Australians can support this year’s McHappy Day fundraiser by:

• During McHappy Time (from October 18) – Picking up a pair of Silly Socks for $5.95, or Helping Hands for $2,

  $10 or $50, from their local Macca’s or via McDelivery.

• On McHappy Day (Saturday, November 18) – Buying a Big Mac from their local Macca’s or via McDelivery, with $2 from every Big Mac sold going directly to RMHC.

• Making a donation online by visiting www.rmhc.org.au/give

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Key Dates:

• McHappy Time begins on 18th October 2023

• McHappy Day is being held on Saturday, November 18, 2023

About Ronald McDonald House Charities

Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) is an independent charity that helps seriously ill 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 the Ronald McDonald Learning Program, which currently helps an average of over 1,200 school-aged children on any given week catch up on missed education after treatment and recovery from serious illness or injury. The Learning Program helps students get back on track, build their confidence and makes the transition back to school much easier.

Additionally, 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.

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.