Traffic was lined up for hundreds of metres at the North Goulburn McDonalds drive-through last night, as the community turned out to support a family in need.
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The evening capped off a steady stream of customers all day, who came especially to buy Big Macs, with $2 donated from each sale going to a Police Legacy fund set up to assist Hume District Police officer Andrew Raunjak and his family.
Constable Raunjak has been caring for three small girls in a unit near Canberra Hospital, while his wife Jocelyn fights for her life following a diagnosis of acute promyelocytic leukaemia (APML).
After yesterday, $6000 made its way into the fund, which now totals over $20,000.
Almost 1500 Big Macs were sold and $1240 was donated in the buckets in store.
Organisers especially thanked Brad Fitzgerald of Tyre Team Goulburn and Southern Youth and Family Services, who each made a donation direct to Police Legacy for $1500.
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"To see the number of people showing support to a local family, and that family being one of my officers, was truly amazing," said officer in charge of Goulburn Police Station Inspector Matthew Hinton.
"I can't thank enough those who came to McDonalds North yesterday.
"The atmosphere was just so positive and even though there was a bit of wait due to the volume of orders, not one person was upset or frustrated and the staff at Maccas did a terrific job".
He said that Constable Raunjak came for a short time to express his thanks in the support from the community.
"He was lost for words at times and expressed his thanks to Daniel Strickland, Daimon Poole and the community in general for the messages of support on social media and for those who came to have a Big Mac," said Inspector Hinton.
"To see his colleagues come out in force - and might I add, a few challenges were had to see who could take on the most Big Macs - was something that a put a smile on Andrew's face."
Mission Australia's Daniel Strickland, who helped organise the event, said that it was an amazing initiative to be involved inf.
"The response was well beyond our expectations and was great to see our local MP Wendy Tuckerman, Mayor Bob Kirk and Inspector Matthew Hinton hit the tongs and put together a couple of Big Macs," said Mr Strickland.
"They may have been a little slower than the staff but they sure did put their heart and soul into it.
"Goulburn truly is a passionate community that is always keen to support a local in need and I was honoured to witness this first hand at Big Macs for Raunjaks."
Daimon Poole, the licensee of North Goulburn McDonalds, was amazed by the turn out.
"Big Macs for Raunjaks was a massive success and the Goulburn community should be immensely proud," said Mr Poole.
"It was humbling to see such a massive turn out from both the residents and business community of our great city.
"The day really does showcase what great communities really are and when a family in our community are under pressure, we band together and jump in and help!
"Time and time again yesterday I was reminded how our community is interconnected and how in strange times like now we need to take care of each other and keep our dollars local."
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