“There were lots of smiling faces on the day and the store looked amazing,” Bega and Merimbula McDonald’s Penny Malone said on Monday.

Ms Malone said this year’s fundraiser topped last year’s collection by almost $800.

Many community groups helped out on the day.

“Bega Police were very busy in our drive-through collecting donations,” she said.

“Gerard Hanscombe and his crew from Bega Fire and Rescue washed cars for us.

“DJ Rutter supplied the music. Alec Knickles from the Bega Bombers Junior Football Club brought mums, dads and kids along to sell raffle tickets.”