NZ First Country To Welcome World Children's Day

Worldwide Spotlight On New Zealand As The First Country To Welcome World Children's Day

New Zealand takes centre place on the world stage this morning as the first country to open World Children's Day -- an international fundraising effort benefitting children's charities around the globe.

On this day every McDonald's restaurant in the world (approximately 30,000) will be undertaking fundraising activities. In New Zealand, World Children's Day is raising funds for Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC).

Last year the inaugural World Children's Day raised more than $24 million in 24 hours worldwide and assisted more than 200 children's causes, including many in New Zealand.

While World Children's Day officially takes place globally today, fundraising in New Zealand is running from 17--23 November, giving New Zealanders plenty of opportunities to be involved.

During this week, visitors to any McDonald's restaurant can make a gold coin donation in return for a child's smiley face upon which they can sign their name, before the faces are displayed in the restaurant.

This year McDonald's is also working with Telecom to raise funds for World Children's Day -- by sending the text "kids" to 8008 on their Telecom mobile New Zealanders make a $2 donation to RMHC.

McDonald's restaurants (NZ) Ltd. Chief Executive, Alan Dunn, says they're grateful for the support many New Zealanders have already shown this week through donations. "The power of World Children's Day is that we can help Kiwis from all over the country as donations go towards Ronald McDonald Houses and other child--related projects," says Mr Dunn.

The global celebration of World Children's Day on 20 November coincides with the anniversary of the United Nation's adoption of the Convention of the Rights of the Child.

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