McDonald’s announces a Red Cross DEC Appeal match-fund for customer donations up to £1m in the UK, and €100,000 in Ireland.

Launched on the McDonald’s App in partnership with the Red Cross DEC Appeal, the fundraising appeal comes with a call for customers to give what they can to support those suffering in the Ukraine.

For every £1 or €1 raised, McDonald’s will match it.

The fundraising drive is McDonald’s most ambitious fundraising initiative to date in the UK, as it seeks to raise over £2m for the Red Cross DEC Appeal in one week to support the countless families and individuals who are most in need.

With donation suggestions from £1 to £50, the McDonald’s App will link customers directly to the Red Cross DEC Appeal page for safe and secure contributions.

McDonald’s Corporation globally has donated $5m to the Red Cross DEC Appeal, with employees, franchisees and suppliers joining the fundraising efforts. McDonald’s UK seeks to harness the generosity of customers in the UK and Ireland and double their donations.

In a message to customers, issued yesterday evening, McDonald’s UK and Ireland CEO Alistair Macrow said: ‘In the face of the horrifying and senseless suffering being experienced by the people of Ukraine, our priority was and remains to ensure we do the right thing by our people, suppliers and customers. We are pleased to announce that donations to the DEC Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal, through the British Red Cross, will be match-funded for customer donations, up to £1m in the UK.

In our most ambitious fundraising initiative to date, we want to work with you, our suppliers, franchisees and employees to raise over £2m for the appeal this week. I am grateful to the British Red Cross and Irish Red Cross for their incredible work, in unthinkable circumstances. I thank you all in advance for your support, in giving whatever you can to help us raise as much as possible for those in greatest need, to provide much-needed medical aid, food and clothing.’

McDonald’s restaurants across the UK will also be serving up support across its local communities, signposting customers to a network of local, verified collection points welcoming clothing, toiletries and physical donations, as well championing other local initiatives.