For the fifth consecutive year, McDonald’s Malta will be renewing its collaboration with the Eden Foundation to organise a programme of fund-raising activities between Saturday, 18 and Sunday, 19 November to cele-brate World Children’s Day, a global event that sees the participation of over 30,000 restaurants in 121 countries. This event has become the largest annual fund-raising event worldwide, with all proceeds in Malta going towards the McDonald’s Eden Found-ation Children’s Fund. On Sunday, 19 November, McDonald’s Malta will be donating to this fund Lm1 from every Extra Value Meal sold.

Details of all the events were unveiled during a press conference held at the McDonald’s St Julian’s restaurant. Those present included McDonald’s Malta managing director Melo Hili, Eden Foundation president Josie Muscat, McDonald’s Malta marketing manager Joanna Ellis, Eden Foundation marketing executive Robert Farrugia and Ira Losco, who is this year’s local ambassador for World Children’s Day.

“Through World Children’s Day at McDonald’s Malta, we are helping to improve the lives of children at the Eden Foundation,” said Mr Hili. “Last year, this event raised Lm8,623.54. Thanks to the generosity of our local suppliers, employees, celebrities and customers, I trust this year’s event will be successful in raising both funds and awareness for the ever-increasing needs of children everywhere.”

A number of well-known local personalities will be making guest appearances at McDonald’s restaurants on Sunday, 19 November. Casts from popular local TV series and children’s TV programmes will be present, as will Ira Losco. McDonald’s Ronald McDonald will also be making special visits during the day.

People will have the opportunity of meeting these and many other personalities who will either be signing autographs or working behind the counter in different McDonald’s restaurants. Added to this, the management and staff of each restaurant are organising additional fund-raising activities on the day in order to boost the fund even more. Ira Losco will also be hosting a concert at Tigulio, St Julian’s, at 7.30pm on Sunday, 19 November.

As part of McDonald’s on-going commitment to promote an active and balanced healthy lifestyle, on Saturday, 18 November, a fund-raising spinning marathon is also being organised at the Hilton LivingWell Health Club between 7am and 11am, at Cynergi St Julian’s between 9.30am and noon and at the 24-hour Ta’ Qali Health and Leisure Centre between 11am and 6pm. For a donation of just Lm2, all the participants will avail themselves of a 45-minute session and the use of other facilities at these centres. A number of members of parliament are being invited to give some time from their busy schedule to participate in this marathon as a sign of solidarity.

A football tournament is also being organised on Saturday, 18 November for children under the age of eight from local football nurseries. All the proceeds will also go towards the Eden Foundation.

Globally, World Children’s Day is being endorsed by a variety of celebrities, with Sarah, Duchess of York, being the global ambassador for World Children’s Day at McDonald’s for the second consecutive year.

The McDonald’s Eden Foundation Children’s Fund was specifically established in 2002 to help children in the care of the Eden Foundation, and the money collected will be used for specialised projects undertaken by the Foundation.

More than Lm23,000 has been collected on World Children’s Days over the last four years, and this has been used to subsidise educational and therapeutic services for children with developmental disabilities who are in the care of The Eden Foundation.