Bert Van Manen (Forde, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

It's always a pleasure to rise in the Federation Chamber and share some of the great things going on in our electorates. Today I would like to thank the hundreds of people who dug deep over the weekend to support the McHappy Day fundraisers in my electorate of Forde. Australia's Ronald McDonald House Charities are well known and loved in our nation. These facilities provide a vital home away from home for families living with serious illness or an injury to their child.

This year the annual McHappy Day fundraiser was held on 14 October. I spent Saturday visiting all eight local McDonald's stores. I was put to work by eager young staff at each of the stores. They even let me serve on the drive-through for a while, but it did not last too long. At each store I was blown away by the generosity of our local families and the dedication of hardworking staff and volunteers, all committed to raising as much as possible to help sick kids. In particular I would like to recognise the efforts of Upper Coomera, Norfolk Village, Beenleigh, Holmview, Marsden, Park Ridge, Loganlea and Loganholme McDonald's stores in my electorate, who all raised around $4,000 each. The Loganlea store, which is still only half built, raised $860 in collection buckets alone in the drive-through. This was a stellar effort.

This year Ronald McDonald House Charities aimed to raise a record-breaking $4.1 million from McHappy Day. I look forward to seeing the final fundraising figures and, more importantly, the smiles that will bring to the faces of those who need it most.