Northern Ireland generosity revealed ahead of first McDonald’s McHappy Day this weekend
McDonald’s Ballymena where McHappy Day will be celebrated this upcoming weekend
Wednesday 23 September 2026
Northern Ireland has emerged as one of the UK’s most generous regions in a new survey released ahead of the first McHappy Day in the UK and Ireland this weekend.
McDonald’s commissioned the research before the fundraising day on Saturday 26 September, when £1 from every qualifying main meal sold will be donated to Ronald McDonald House UK and Ronald McDonald House Ireland, supporting families with seriously ill children.
The OnePoll survey found 52% of respondents in Northern Ireland donate money to those in need at least once a month, while 86% consider themselves generous, compared with a UK average of 80%.
Northern Ireland stands out for giving
Northern Ireland also ranked highly for the amount people said they typically give to charity. Some 43% reported donating between £20 and £99 in a typical month, compared with a UK average of 30%, with only London recording a higher proportion in that range.
The UK-wide poll surveyed 2,000 adults across 12 regions and also found 40% of Northern Ireland respondents had volunteered their time for a charitable cause during the previous 12 months, against 29% nationally.
The figures are findings from a commissioned survey rather than official statistics and reflect the responses of those who participated in the poll.
Local causes matter more in Northern Ireland
One of the biggest differences emerged around the importance of supporting causes close to home.
Some 30% of Northern Ireland respondents ranked how local a cause is as the most important consideration when choosing what to support — almost double the UK average of 16%.
People in Northern Ireland were also more likely to have used social media to promote a charitable cause, at 40% compared with 33% across the UK.
Different generations give in different ways
Across the wider UK survey, researchers found significant differences in how generations give their money, time and support.
Among 18 to 29-year-olds, 83% considered themselves generous. Some 49% said they volunteered for good causes, 40% donated goods or items and 23% took part in charitable events.
Millennials — defined by the research as those born between 1981 and 1996 — recorded the highest average monthly charitable donation at £37.
Among Boomers, 66% said they had donated goods or items to charity, while 31% had donated spare change during the previous year.
Generosity goes beyond donating money
Across the UK, 21% of respondents said they had donated to charity by rounding up purchases at a till or self-service checkout, while 39% had supported a cause by purchasing a charity product.
A third said they had helped a stranger in need, 20% had supported a local fundraiser and 16% said they would give their last £5 to someone facing immediate hardship.
Children and young people were among the causes people were most likely to support, at 26%, followed by health charities at 23%.
Lauren Schultz, CEO at McDonald’s UK & Ireland
Lauren Schultz, CEO at McDonald’s UK & Ireland, said:
“These findings paint a really positive picture of Britain today.
“Whether it’s giving up their time, donating money, helping a stranger or supporting a local cause, people are proving that acts of kindness remain a big part of everyday life. It’s fantastic to see younger generations embracing charitable giving and community support, while older generations continue to give back in so many meaningful ways.
“At a time when life can feel increasingly busy and demanding, it’s clear that helping others still matters to people.”
Top 20 spontaneous acts of generosity
The survey also identified the 20 most common spontaneous acts of generosity reported by respondents across the UK:
1. Donated unwanted items
2. Donated to charity
3. Treated a friend or relative to a gift
4. Helped a stranger
5. Given someone a lift
6. Given up your place in a queue to someone in a hurry
7. Left a positive review to help a small business
8. Bought someone lunch or dinner
9. Picked up litter in a public place without being asked
10. Bought someone a coffee
11. Helped someone get something from a high shelf or aeroplane overhead storage
12. Shared skills or expertise for free
13. Supported a local fundraiser
14. Given money to someone in need
15. Posted a letter or parcel for someone
16. Sent flowers or a care package to someone going through a tough time
17. Introduced someone to a useful contact to help them find a job or opportunity
18. Babysat or pet-sat for free to help someone out
19. Bought a round of drinks unexpectedly
20. Helped someone carry a pram up or down a flight of stairs
First McHappy Day takes place this Saturday
The findings have been released ahead of the first McHappy Day in the UK and Ireland on Saturday 26 September, with customers in Ballymena and across Northern Ireland able to take part.
McDonald’s will donate £1 from every qualifying main meal sold on the day to Ronald McDonald House UK and Ronald McDonald House Ireland. The charities provide free accommodation close to hospitals, allowing families to remain near children receiving treatment and helping reduce some of the financial and practical pressures of hospital stays.
Customers can also buy a limited-edition reversible Grimace Beanie for £5 from restaurant kiosks or through the McDonald’s App for collection, with proceeds from sales supporting the charities.
Schultz added:
“That’s why initiatives such as McHappy Day are so important, giving people another opportunity to support the families who need it most. Ronald McDonald House UK and Ronald McDonald House Ireland provide extraordinary support for families whose world is turned upside down by a child’s illness – offering free accommodation so they can be right there by their child’s side, at no cost to them.
“Thanks to the generosity of our customers, franchisees and supply partners, every penny raised on Saturday 26th September will make a genuine difference to the families who need it most.”
For Northern Ireland, where the survey suggests people place particularly strong importance on giving and supporting causes close to home, this weekend’s first McHappy Day will put that generosity into action for families facing the strain of having a seriously ill child in hospital.
