Dunedin’s three McDonald’s restaurants and Allied Press have partnered to offer the ODT at a reduced price of $1.50 with 40c from every paper going to the Ronald McDonald House South Island.
"Ronald McDonald House is a really important charity for a lot of families in Otago and Southland, and we are happy to support it,’’ Allied Press commercial manager Matthew Holdridge said.
"It’s a great fit."
Franchise owners Justine and Eterei Stonelake said they were pleased to work with Allied Press to give back to the charity.
"We are proud to partner with the ODT in such a great initiative," Mr Stonelake said.
"The outcome is more sick children get looked after.
"I encourage the community to get behind it."
The money raised would go towards supporting families such as Dunedin’s Cawte family.
Hayden and Sheryl Cawte were rocked by the news their daughter Mavis was diagnosed with a heart condition during Mrs Cawte’s pregnancy.
Mavis (now 14 months) was born in Starship Hospital and the family had regularly been to Auckland since, including for major surgery when the toddler was only 9 months old.
Without the support of Ronald McDonald House, the family would not have coped, they said.
"Ronald McDonald House is vital," Mrs Cawte said.
"They thought about everything for us. They put us in the room closest to the door ready for labour.
"They remember us by name.
"The volunteers are amazing."
The support of the charity had eased the first-time parents’ minds at a time of great difficulty, Mr Cawte said.
The newspaper would be offered at McDonald’s outlets in Andersons Bay Rd, George St and Dunedin North.