Northern Ireland has been identified as one of the most generous regions in the United Kingdom in a new survey released ahead of the first McHappy Day on Saturday. The poll, commissioned by McDonald's, found that 86% of Northern Ireland respondents consider themselves generous, compared with a UK average of 80%. The survey of 2,000 adults across 12 regions also showed that 52% of respondents in Northern Ireland donate money to those in need at least once a month.

The research indicated that people in Northern Ireland are more likely than the UK average to prioritise causes close to home. Thirty percent of respondents in Northern Ireland said how local a cause is was the most important factor when choosing a charity to support, almost double the UK average of 16%. In addition, 40% of Northern Ireland respondents said they had volunteered for a charitable cause in the previous 12 months, compared with 29% across the UK.

On the amount given to charity, 43% of people in Northern Ireland reported donating between £20 and £99 in a typical month, higher than the UK average of 30%. Only London had a higher proportion of respondents in that donation range. The survey also found that people in Northern Ireland were more likely than the UK average to have used social media to promote a charitable cause, at 40% compared with 33%.

McHappy Day will take place on Saturday 26 September, with McDonald's donating £1 from every qualifying main meal sold to Ronald McDonald House UK and Ronald McDonald House Ireland. These charities provide free accommodation close to hospitals for families with seriously ill children. Customers can also buy a limited-edition reversible Grimace Beanie for £5 from restaurant kiosks or through the McDonald's App, with proceeds supporting the charities.

Lauren Schultz, CEO at McDonald's UK & Ireland, said the findings showed that acts of kindness remain a big part of everyday life. She noted that younger generations are embracing charitable giving and community support, while older generations continue to give back in many ways. Schultz added that initiatives such as McHappy Day give people another opportunity to support families who need it most.

The UK-wide survey identified the most common spontaneous acts of generosity, with donating unwanted items and donating to charity topping the list. Other frequent acts included helping a stranger, giving someone a lift, and giving up a place in a queue to someone in a hurry. The poll also found that children and young people were among the causes people were most likely to support, at 26%, followed by health charities at 23%.

In Northern Ireland, 30% of respondents ranked how local a cause is as the most important consideration, highlighting the importance of supporting nearby organisations. The findings have been released ahead of the fundraising day, when customers in Ballymena and across Northern Ireland can take part by purchasing a main meal.