Thousands of Big Macs were sold to people across Maitland on Saturday in celebration of McHappy Day, with $1 from every Big Mac sold on the day going directly to help seriously ill children and their families.

And Maitland customers didn’t disappoint with East Maitland McDonalds selling a record 1220 Big Macs, the Rutherford outlet selling 1150 and Thornton McDonalds parting with 721 Big Macs.

“As always, the Maitland community supported this important charity and we had a great day,” East Maitland McDonald’s community relations manager Gail Martin said.

The team at Rutherford McDonald’s celebrated the day with staff dressing up as fairies, angels, pirates and characters including Spiderman and Scooby Doo.

McHappy Day is one of Australia’s largest annual fundraising events, helping seriously ill children and their families by raising money for Ronald McDonald House charities.