Northern Ireland ranks among the UK’s most generous regions, according to a new OnePoll survey commissioned by McDonald’s ahead of the first UK and Ireland McHappy Day on Saturday 26 September 2026.
86% of people in Northern Ireland say they consider themselves generous, against a UK average of 80%. More than half — 52% — donate money to people in need at least once a month.
On how much is given in a typical month, Northern Ireland sits second only to London: 43% donate between £20 and £99, compared with a UK average of 30%.
Time counts too. 40% of NI respondents volunteered for a charitable cause in the last 12 months, against 29% nationally. Local causes matter more here as well — 30% ranked how local a cause is as most important, versus 16% across the UK. And 40% said they have used social media to promote a charity cause, ahead of the UK average of 33%.
Across the UK, Gen Z are averaging about five kindness acts a week, while Millennials are the biggest cash donors at around £37 a month. The poll surveyed 2,000 adults across 12 UK regions.
Lauren Schultz, CEO of McDonald’s UK & Ireland, said the findings show kindness is still part of everyday life: “Whether it’s giving up their time, donating money, helping a stranger or supporting a local cause, people are proving that acts of kindness remain a big part of everyday life.”
McHappy Day on Saturday supports Ronald McDonald House UK and Ronald McDonald House Ireland, which offer free accommodation so families can stay close when a child is seriously ill. Schultz said every pound raised on the day “will make a genuine difference to the families who need it most.”
For more from around the city, see our What’s On hub and Things to Do in Belfast.
Discover more from LoveBelfast
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
