On the 24th November I'm taking the kids for a Big Mac. We don't have one here in Donegal Town so I'll have to drive 30 miles to Letterkenny to get there. I have my reasons.
This Saturday, for one day only, McDonald’s will donate €1 to Ronald McDonald House (RMHC) for every Big Mac sold in Ireland.
RMHC, the independent charity that funds and operates Ronald McDonald House in the grounds of Our Lady’s Hospital, Crumlin, has today launched McHappy Day 2012. All proceeds raised on Saturday will go to The Ronald McDonald House. I had a family reason, a few short few years ago, to use this great facility and we would get involved in fundraising locally for this charity.
The charity provides accommodation and a caring and supportive environment for families whose children are seriously ill and are hospitalised or undergoing medical treatment at Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Crumlin, Dublin 12.
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| Ronald McDonald House at Our Lady's Children's Hospital, Crumlin |
RMHC Ireland Ltd. was set up in 1997 and the first Ronald McDonald House in Ireland opened in 2004. The House has a total of 20 en-suite family bedrooms in two separate buildings, each of which is adjacent to the Our Lady’s Hospital, Crumlin. The original building has 16 bedrooms and the second building which opened in March 2010, has 4 bedrooms. Each bedroom has a direct telephone line so parents can be quickly and easily connected to the hospital.
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| €1 is being donated from every Big Mac sold in Ireland on Saturday, 24th November |
Each room can accommodate up to four family members at a time. There are three kitchens and a large dining area in main building with a toddlers’ room, a TV room, a library and full laundry facilities. There is also a small garden and a dedicated children’s play area. The second building is also fully equipped with its own cooking, dining and laundry facilities.
McHappy Day is RMHC’s national fundraiser and will take place on Saturday, 24th November. McDonald’s Restaurants of Ireland and Owner Operators nationwide are showing their support for the charity with €1 being donated from every Big Mac sold on the day. RMHC will also be selling festive Santa hats in McDonald’s restaurants nationwide from 24th November until 5th December.
McHappy Day is RMHC’s national fundraiser and will take place on Saturday, 24th November. McDonald’s Restaurants of Ireland and Owner Operators nationwide are showing their support for the charity with €1 being donated from every Big Mac sold on the day. RMHC will also be selling festive Santa hats in McDonald’s restaurants nationwide from 24th November until 5th December.
With running costs of €300,000 a year, the charity receives no funding or financial support from either the hospital or the Government and relies on fundraising and donations to be able to continue to provide a ‘home away from home’ for over 2,200 families to date from across Ireland.
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| The charity receives no government aid and is dependant on fundraisers and donations |
Leinster and Ireland rugby star Shane Jennings (who is also on the charity's Board of Trustees) today said: “Ronald McDonald House is an important resource for parents who are caring for children who are seriously ill. Having to be out of home for long periods of time to be close to their children can cause major stress emotionally and financially, this is where RMHC steps in. The idea is simple, nothing else should matter when a family is focused on healing their child.”
Marian Carroll, Volunteer CEO of the RMHC said: “McHappy Day is our biggest annual fundraiser where all proceeds will go directly to the Ronald McDonald House. RMHC receives no government funding, relying on support of the public and fundraising initiatives to keep this important facility in operation."
Marian added, "This Saturday, for one day only, McDonald’s will donate €1 to RMHC for every Big Mac sold, so go on treat yourself!" McDonalds use 100% Irish Beef in their Burgers and every euro helps and we are calling on the public to show support and get down to your local McDonald’s this Saturday. McHappy Day Santa hats will also be on sale for €2 for a limited time only in restaurants nationwide."
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| Shane Jennings, Leinster & Ireland Rugby star, at the launch of the RMHC fundraiser |
RMHC is an independent charity run by a Board of Trustees appointed by the Charity. For more about the Ronald McDonald House charity or to make a donation go to http://www.rmhc.ie/.
This is a very excellent facility for family visiting sick kids in Our Lady's Children's Hospital, in Crumlin and this fundraising day is a very good cause, so if you don't normally eat much fast food make this fundraising day a good enough reason to have a Big Mac!
Zack
