Northside McDonald’s store top fundraiser

BRACKEN Ridge McDonald’s was the top fundraiser in Queensland in last year’s McHappy Day, and was the seventh top fundraiser in Australia.

The outlet raised $12,153, more than half the $22,154 raised in Brisbane’s north east suburbs; $3.95million was raised across the country.

Funds raised from the day will be used across the range of Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) programs including Ronald McDonald House, Ronald McDonald Family Rooms and the Ronald McDonald Learning Program, which go towards helping seriously ill children and their families.

McDonald’s Bracken Ridge licensee Rod Chiapello said volunteers played a big role on the day, with numerous groups giving up their time to collect donations at Aspley, Bracken Ridge, Sandgate and Virginia.

“Since 1981 the Ronald McDonald Houses have collectively housed over 2.94 million nightly guests and this number is set to grow, with demand from families increasing,” Mr Chiapello said.

“Seeing the north east suburbs community out in full force on McHappy Day with so much generosity and passion in their hearts and always willing to lend a helping hand for the cause, makes me so proud to be a local.

“I want to give a heartfelt thank you to the locals for their continuous generosity and support, as well as the volunteers for giving up their time to help out with McHappy Day.

“Funds raised will make a huge difference to the regional children and families supported by RMHC.

“The outstanding fundraising effort means Ronald McDonald House Charities will be able to help many more families, with the fundraising total equating to providing over 25,000 nights accommodation for families with seriously ill children in one of 16 Ronald McDonald Houses across Australia.”