The Nationals’ Member for Euroa, Annabelle Cleeland, joined the team at Seymour McDonald’s as they raised much-needed funds on McHappy Day.
McHappy Day is McDonald’s biggest annual charity event, raising funds for Ronald McDonald House, which provides vital support for seriously ill or injured children and their families during treatment or surgery in hospital.
Ms Cleeland helped worked the drive-thru alongside staff at the Seymour store, helping the store raise over $5,000 across McHappy day.
“It was a pleasure to play a small part in helping raise funds for such an incredible cause alongside the amazing team at Seymour McDonald’s,” Ms Cleeland said.
“The Seymour community contributed $5,227 on the day, with McDonald’s stores in Kilmore, Euroa, and Benalla raising a further $10,649.
“Over $6 million has been raised this year across the country, a figure that equates to 37,687 nights in a Ronald McDonald House.”
Ms Cleeland said the funds were going to an incredible cause that had benefited so many regional families.
“For decades, the Ronald McDonald Houses in Melbourne have provided essential comfort, care and kindness to regional families when they need it most,” Ms Cleeland said.
“It has been more than just a shelter—it’s been a place of warmth, offering home-cooked meals and allowing regional families to stay close to their children while they receive care at the Royal Children’s Hospital.
“For an increasing number of regional women, it has also become a safe haven in the final days of pregnancy as well, with shrinking services locally resulting in more women travelling to Melbourne for this care.”
Ms Cleeland and her colleagues from The Nationals also visited the Ronald McDonald House in Melbourne’s North Fitzroy last year, cooking a meal together for the families staying at the house.
