Big Mac funds won’t flow to WA

THE fundraising world was stunned by the largesse of Joan Kroc, wife of McDonalds founder Ray Kroc, who left US$2 billion to the Salvation Army.

Alas, the benefits of those funds will not come through to local units in Western Australia.

Salvation Army spokesman Warren Palmer said the US$2 billion would be spent in the US and none of those funds would come to Australia.

"However, it gives a few positive messages about the sense of trust that someone like Mrs Kroc had in the organisation," he said.

Last year the Salvation Army received $39 million in bequests.

The bequests the group received has increased considerably in latter years.

In one year the organisation’s bequests increased by $20 million.