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

I would like to take this opportunity to thank our local community for getting behind a number of recent charitable events. On Saturday, McHappy Day was celebrated in a number of McDonald's stores around my electorate, including Upper Coomera, Ormeau, Beenleigh, Holmview, Marsden, Park Ridge, Loganlea and Loganholme—all taking part in this fantastic fundraising activity. It is now the 25th year that McHappy Day has filled our calendars. It is a day filled with family fun, entertainment and community spirit. But, most importantly, it shows the terrific charitable efforts of our local community.

McHappy Day raises funds for Ronald McDonald House, which provides accommodation and programs for families with seriously ill children. Over the past 30 years the charity has helped more than 120,000 families through its various programs, including many families from regional communities who need to travel to capital cities for medical treatment. I would like to thank our local community for their generous support, as well as the volunteers and of course the McDonald's staff in the various stores who took a great deal of time and pleasure in dressing up in various costumes and having a tremendous day in the process.