FOR recovering leukaemia patient Christopher Nell, and his parents Tim and Cathy, Ronald McDonald House was a godsend.

And with McHappy Day coming up this Saturday, the family can speak first hand at how important the charity house is for families with ill children.

Christopher was diagnosed with leukaemia in 2003, at age three. Now 11, Christopher has spent the past eight years battling the illness under the care of the Sydney Children’s Hospital alternating between Ronald McDonald House in Randwick and his home in Canberra.

“The hugest help is the financial help,” Cathy says.

“If you need accommodation in Randwick for three weeks at a time, it soon adds up.

“There was also the community part of the home. You are living with people going through a similar thing. And you support each other and not have to explain your situation time again.”

This year marks the 20th anniversary of McHappy Day, and since 1991, Canberra has helped raise more than $18.5 million for RMHC. And with the announcement of the first Ronald McDonald house being built in Canberra’s new Women and Children’s Hospital, this year is a particularly important McHappy Day for Canberrans.

“For families in rural areas this will be a huge help to them,” Cathy says.

“We know how much a new house will help people here in Canberra.”

This year, funds raised will also help expand the Ronald McDonald Learning Program that helps children recovering from serious illness will catch up with missed schooling.

To donate, simply drop into your local McDonald’s on Saturday and $2 from every Big Mac sold goes directly to RMHC. American Express has also pledged to donate $1 for every Facebook “check-in” made at a McDonald’s restaurant on McHappy Day.

And for those who can’t make it, donations can be made online at www.mchappyday.com.au.