Cumbernauld and District Women’s Aid is a voluntary organisation, which provides valuable information, support and temporary accommodation to women and their children who have experienced domestic abuse.
The funds from McDonald’s will contribute towards enhanced support and facilities, including discretionary emergency fuel top-ups, celebratory gifts for children, counselling services, and better trained and supported key workers. These improvements will significantly impact the experience of those using these services, who are often doing so during highly-stressful and traumatic times in their lives.
The donation was made possible by the ‘McDonald’s in the Community Foundation’, set up by 16 Scottish McDonald’s Franchisees, and the 20 McDonald’s-owned restaurants in Scotland. The foundation provides a central hub to help distribute funds, raised by the 10p carrier bag charge, to different charities and organisations across Scotland.
Local McDonald’s Franchisee, Elliot Jardine, who owns and operates the Cumbernauld restaurant, said: “Supporting our local community is of the utmost importance to the team, and we are honoured to be able to support Women’s Aid on such an important cause. The donation has matched the grant recieved by one of our Cumbernauld City Centre employees, Heather, who recently won the Youth Philanthropy Project and was awarded £3,000 to donate to a charity of her choosing. Our people are the heart of our business and to be able to donate to a cause Heather feels so passionate about is a pleasure.”
Suzy McGregor, Team Leader at Cumbernauld and District Women’s Aid, said: “We are so grateful to McDonald’s and Helen for this kind donation. Their generosity is truly making such a difference in the lives of those we support, and we’re thrilled to be able to offer improved facilities and better supported key workers. We hope to grow this relationship with McDonald’s in the future.”
In 2024, proceeds from the 10p carrier bag charge were used to donate £2 million from Scottish McDonald’s restaurants, which was shared across 130 charities.