STAFF from six McDonald's restaurants all over Swindon have raised more than £1,000 for charity.

Using fancy dress and donation buckets across several branches earlier this year, the fast food chain raised £539 for Jessie May Children's Hospice at Home, which cares for terminally ill children.

Local McDonald's franchisee Carl Room then match-funded the money raised to boost the total to £1,078.

Mayor of Swindon Councillor Maureen Penny visited the restaurant to see Carl present the cheque to Debbie Clarke from the Jessie May Trust.

Debbie said: “We are so grateful to Carl and all the staff at the McDonald’s restaurants across Swindon for everything they did to raise an amazing amount for the Jessie May Trust.

"We’re proud of the work we do and want to help as many children and their families as we can.

"We really rely on local support and hope to continue our partnership with Carl and his restaurants in the future.”

Carl Room's restaurants in the Orbital Centre, Brunel Centre, Greenbridge Retail Park, West Swindon Retail Centre, on Cockleberry Roundabout, and on Great Western Way all got involved to help a good cause.

Carl said: “I was really proud to see everyone come together to support a truly amazing local cause, it was a really successful day.

"It is so important to recognise these local charities who do so much for our communities, and we’re sure that the money that was raised will do good for those who need it.”

Jessie May nurses provide vital respect, care, emotional support, end of life care and bereavement support.

The charity has been working in Swindon and Wiltshire for 18 months and relies on generous donations and fundraising events to ensure their services can continue.

Since it was founded, it has supported more than 300 children and their families across Bristol and the South-West.

The trust is one of Mayor Maureen Penny's chosen charities for her mayoral year.

She said: "It's a very impressive result and I really appreciate McDonald's for allowing this and Carl for match-funding the amount, I think it's great that they do so much for charity."

McDonald's will be hosting a fun day on Saturday October 21 to raise money for the Ronald MacDonald House Charities.