Each player\u2019s shirt will feature the name of a child and the number of nights they stayed at a Ronald McDonald House.
The match-worn kits will be auctioned off post-match with all proceeds going to RMHC, whose core mission is to keep families together when their child is in a hospital away from home, by providing free accommodation and support.
To make an even bigger impact, McDonald\u2019s restaurants will match every donation made via kiosks and Drive-Thru from March 24th – 30th. Customers can support RMHC by rounding up their order to the nearest dollar or adding a $1 donation at checkout.
Paladin Sports will also donate $10 from each replica RMHC kit sold to Ronald McDonald House Charities New Zealand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2025\/03\/Hero-Shot-family-pic.jpg?w=1200\")
For families like the Harpers, long-time Wellington Phoenix supporters, this match carries extra meaning.
Mark Harper stayed with his son Oscar at Ronald McDonald House in Auckland for 204 nights while Oscar received medical treatment, so knows firsthand the impact RMHC has.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cRonald McDonald House was our home away from home when Oscar needed medical treatment in Auckland,\u201d Mark Harper said. \u201cThe support we received was incredible, and we\u2019ll never forget it.\u201d Wellington Phoenix general manager David Dome says the club is honoured to be able to support RMHC. Wayne Howett, CEO of RMHC New Zealand, says they are honoured to receive support from McDonald\u2019s and Wellington Phoenix for this year’s charity match, which will make a meaningful difference for families facing challenging times.
Oscar was thrilled to learn his favourite team would be playing in support of RMHC – and even more excited for the chance to walk out onto the pitch with Phoenix forward Marco Rojas and represent the thousands of children like him across Aotearoa.
\u201cThis means the world to our family. This is more than a game; it\u2019s a cause that helps families like ours every day.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2025\/03\/3G0A6430.jpg?w=1200\")
\u201cWe\u2019re incredibly proud to dedicate our annual charity match to Ronald McDonald House Charities and shine a light on the important work they do,\u201d Dome said.
\u201cThe Nix have been visiting and supporting Ronald McDonald House Wellington for years, so it\u2019s great to be able to play for them.
\u201cWe are calling on our fans to get behind this game and help make a real difference for families in need.”
McDonald\u2019s New Zealand is looking forward to bringing together two of its partners for such a positive cause.
\u201cThe Nix already had a connection with Ronald McDonald House Wellington when we came on board as a sponsor, which was fantastic,\u201d said Simon Kenny, Head of Impact and Communications at McDonald\u2019s New Zealand.
\u201cSo, the charity round was a natural way to further support RMHC and the work they do.
\u201cWith the Macca\u2019s Match, our franchisees are encouraging customers to help us to raise funds for RMHC to meet the growing demand from families around New Zealand.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2025\/03\/3G0A6455.jpg?w=1200\")
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\u201cWhen a child is seriously ill, the last thing a family should have to worry about is where they will stay,\u201d Howett said.
\u201cMany of our families travel hundreds of kilometres for their child\u2019s treatment, and having a place to call home near the hospital is invaluable.
\u201cWith the continued support of McDonald\u2019s and Wellington Phoenix, we can ease the burden on these families and help them focus on what truly matters \u2013 being together during their toughest times.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n