For the entire month of August just $2 can help make a huge difference to families in need.
McDonald’s Northern NSW are once again running their $2 Charity Bike promotion and the funds from each bike purchased in store goes straight to Ronald McDonald House Charities Northern New South Wales (RMHC Northern NSW).
Licensee for McDonald’s Armidale, Inverell and Glen Innes, Chris Rodgers, said, “We’ve set ourselves a goal this year to raise over $200,000.”
“I was a little afraid this year that with the cost of living we might find this difficult to achieve but everyone is being incredibly generous so far and we’re only a week in and are already above our target for where we thought we’d be in our fundraising at this point.”
$200,000 is the equivalent of being able to provide 1,481 nights of accommodation across both the Newcastle and Tamworth Ronald McDonald Houses.
Anyone who has ever had a seriously ill child knows the struggles of finding and affording treatment, and the added complexity and expense of then also needing to find accommodation nearby can place tremendous stress on families.
“The Newcastle Ronald McDonald House has been around for over 20 years now and it really strikes me that, every time we run this promotion, so many people in the region have stories about either themselves, or someone they know having to use the house at some point and just how significant being able to access this accommodation is for people,” said Mr Rodgers.
“It’s a really significant and vital service.”
Ronald McDonald House in Newcastle currently has 12 bedrooms spread across 6 units, and on average have around 613 families stay per year.
The Tamworth House has 5 bedrooms and accommodates 158 families per year.
“We know that we can’t currently keep up with demand,” said Mr Rodgers.
“But having events like the charity bikes that give us the opportunity to remind the community or perhaps explain to people who don’t know the significant role that the House plays is also a really important aspect of the fundraiser.”
There are 80 restaurants across Northern NSW and the Central Cost who will be participating in the promotion and all funds raised will go directly to RMHC Northern NSW.
The $2 Charity Bike promotion also acts as an important lead up to the 20th anniversary of Ride for Sick Kids in Northern NSW. Where around 25 riders will ride 500km from Glen Innes to Newcastle House from September 3 – 7.
“It’s a really challenging ride,” said Mr Rodgers.
“I’ve ridden parts of the track and it’s tough, and these riders will be doing it rain, hail or shine.”
Outside of the $2 charity bikes you can also donate directly to the riders in the lead up to the Ride for Sick Kids.
McDonald’s customers can support the fundraiser by purchasing a Charity Bike for $2 from participating McDonald’s restaurants across Northern NSW and the Central Coast, from Thursday 1 August to Saturday 31 August.
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