McDonald’s customers across Northern Ireland are being invited to give what they can to support those suffering in Ukraine through a special fundraising appeal.
McDonald’s UK and Ireland has teamed up with the British Red Cross and Irish Red Cross for their fundraising drives to help provide much-needed medical aid, food and clothing for the people affected by the conflict in Ukraine.
The business has pledged to match-fund customer donations up to a value of £1 million across the UK and Ireland, aiming to raise a total £2 million for the DEC Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal.
Fundraising efforts are being driven by local franchisees and crew in McDonald’s 33 restaurants across Northern Ireland.
Alongside the McDonald’s App, customer donations can be made in-store at the digital kiosks and in collection buckets.
Speaking on behalf of the McDonald’s Northern Ireland franchisees, Des Lamph explained: “In the face of the horrifying suffering being experienced by the people of Ukraine and surrounding countries, McDonald’s priority has been and remains to ensure we do the right thing by our people, suppliers and customers.
“In recent weeks we have been overwhelmed by the generosity of our customers in Northern Ireland in supporting this appeal.
“Every donation, no matter how large or small, will play a critical role in supporting families and communities affected by the conflict in Ukraine who are facing unimaginable hardship.
“As a business, we are grateful to the Red Cross movement for their incredible work, in unthinkable circumstances.
“Our thoughts are with all those affected by the conflict in Ukraine and in neighbouring countries.”
Dr Terry Cross OBE, President of the British Red Cross for Northern Ireland, said: “The humanitarian situation in Ukraine is increasingly dire.
“Millions of people have no safe place to call home. Hundreds of thousands of people still have no food, no water, no medical care, and no heat or electricity.
“Red Cross teams have been working around the clock to get critical care to those who need it most, both in Ukraine and its bordering countries.”
A long-standing employer in west Belfast, Dr Cross founded Delta Print & Packaging in 1981 and, over the years, has worked with McDonald’s on other initiatives supporting the community.
He personally pledged £10,000 to the McDonald’s fundraising appeal for Ukraine.
Dr Cross continued: “On behalf of the Red Cross in Northern Ireland, I wholeheartedly welcome McDonald’s generosity and tremendous efforts to support the DEC Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal.
“I would encourage others to support this fundraising campaign, if they can, and make a real difference to the Ukrainian people in need.”
The McDonald’s Corporation globally has already donated $5 million to the Red Cross movement through the DEC Appeal, with employees, franchisees and suppliers joining the fundraising efforts.
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