LIFE, LOVE, MACCAS AND A LONG RIDE
MCDONALD’S has always been part of Sandy Kennedy’s life, so much so she jokes she has “ketchup” in her veins.
Driven by the work of the fast food chain’s Ronald McDonald House charity, the Gold Coast cyclist has committed for the 11th year to make a 570km journey across northern Queensland to help raise $120,000 for the families of sick kids.
But for Ms Kennedy the ride is not just a fundraising pilgrimage – it is a chance to give back to the McDonald’s family restaurant culture that became far more than her career. It has been instrumental in the making of her family.
In 1995 Ms Kennedy first locked eyes over the grill with the man who would become her husband, Matt Kennedy, when they worked together at the old Coolangatta McDonald’s.
“We actually both started as part of the crew when we were at high school,” Ms Kennedy said.
The couple ultimately bought two franchises, at Labrador in 2008 and South Tweed in 2016. Their three children also work at McDonald’s part time.
Ms Kennedy will set off on the ride from Airlie Beach to Palm Cove on August 13 along with the only other Gold Coast rider and McDonald’s restaurant franchisee, Peter Cowey, and a dozen other riders from across Queensland.