Locals encouraged to support McHappy Day

Rotorua locals will have the chance to show off their stripes for a good cause this weekend.

Tomorrow marks Ronald McDonald House Charities' McHappy Day, a day where New Zealanders are encouraged to do their best Ronald McDonald impression by buying their own stripy Ronald socks to wear, which will help seriously ill children and their families.

The day aims to raise funds for the charity, which provides Kiwi families with sick children a place to stay next to the hospital, along with other facilities and resources.

Last year, the charity helped about 4000 families across the country and 98 families from the Rotorua and Taupo regions.

The charity will be given the proceeds from the $1 Helping Hands and $5 Ronald socks which are available in McDonald's restaurants around New Zealand, including at Rotorua stores.

Proceeds from every Big Mac and Happy Meal purchased tomorrow will also be donated to the charity.

McDonald's franchisee Rob Parry said he encouraged all Rotorua residents to come along to their local McDonald's on McHappy Day and show their support for Ronald McDonald House Charities.

"There will be fun in-store activities, collection buckets and many ways you can donate to this great cause," he said.

McDonald's is also encouraging Kiwis to take a sock selfie of themselves wearing their Ronald socks using the hashtag #forRMHC to help raise awareness.

Ronald McDonald House Charities chairperson Carol Campbell said most of the families the charity supported lived in communities many miles from the hospitals where their children were receiving treatment.

"Without the Houses, these families would be faced with expensive hotel bills or would simply have nowhere to stay."

For more information about McHappy Day visit www.mchappyday.co.nz.