McDonald's Celebrates 25th Anniversary of Ronald McDonald House Charities with Fundraising Event

 On Saturday 25th October between 1 and 2pm, £1 from every transaction made at McDonald's restaurants across  Northern Ireland will be donated to Ronald McDonald House Charities

This week McDonald's launches its nationwide fundraising campaign to celebrate 25 years since its charity of choice Ronald McDonald House Charities was established in the UK. Between 1 and 2pm on Saturday 25th October, McDonald's across Northern Ireland will join restaurants across the UK in donating £1 from every transaction to the Charity.

Ronald McDonald House Charities is an independent charity which provides free 'home away from home' accommodation for families with children in hospital. There are currently 14 Ronald McDonald Houses across the UK and a facility at Musgrave park Hospital in Belfast. Last year, the Houses helped over 7,000 families stay close to their children in hospital.

Celebrity dad and Make a Real Difference campaign ambassador Jeff Brazier of the campaign said: "When I visited a Ronald McDonald House recently, I could really empathise with the Charity, especially as a dad myself. I hope everyone helps McDonald's raise awareness and money for this fantastic charity. It's a chance to make a real difference so please show your support and head down to a McDonald's restaurant on Saturday between 1 and 2pm to take part."

Paul Connan, local McDonald's franchisee who owns six restaurants in Northern Ireland, including the new restaurant on Boucher Road, added: "I'm incredibly proud of all the work McDonald's has done with Ronald McDonald House Charities for 25 years now. It's fantastic that we're able to promote and support the fantastic work that the Charity does to keep families together during difficult times."

Members of the public have also been showing their support for Ronald McDonald House Charities by uploading a family selfie at www.makearealdifferenceday.co.uk using the hashtag #selfie4RMHC. A selection of photos will then be chosen to appear in lights on the McDonald's London Piccadilly Circus digital billboard for all to see.

To find out more about RMHC or how you can get involved, visit www.rmhc.org.uk  

-Ends-

For more information, interviews or images please contact:Aiken PRLouise Carson or Caroline Murphy - firstname@aikenpr.com /028 9066 3000

Notes to editorsRonald McDonald House Charities

1. Ronald McDonald House Charities is an independent charity which provides free 'home away from home' accommodation at hospitals across the UK. It enables seriously ill children to have their families close by when they are undergoing treatment and allows them to maintain a degree of normal family life.

2. The Charity opened in 1989 and in 2013 helped support over 7,000 families with children in hospital. The Charity relies on the generosity of supporters and fundraisers, including McDonald's customers, without whom it would be unable to continue its work. In 2014, Ronald McDonald House Charities UK proudly celebrates 25 years of keeping families together.

3. Since 1990, McDonald's has raised just under £50 million for Ronald McDonald House Charities from in store collection boxes and other restaurant based fundraising. McDonald's also offers the charities organisational support by providing office space, general administrative support and IT computer systems and this support is estimated to have been worth over £2 million to the Charity since 1989.