Month: June 2023

Water savings flood in for Scottish public sector

SCOTLAND’S largest water retailer has saved the country’s public sector a record £2.85million over the course of the last year, taking total savings over three years to £6.4million.

Business Stream has supported public sector organisations across the country, including NHS Scotland, Scottish Fire and Rescue, Police Scotland and the Scottish Government with leak detection, water efficiency and smart monitoring services as part of a three-year contract.

As a result of the retailer’s activities, the sector has also saved more than 1.365 billion litres of water over the past year, equivalent to the volume of 546 Olympic swimming pools.

This in turn has delivered energy savings reducing 574,778 kg of carbon – comparable to removing 438 single passenger flights from Edinburgh to New York.

Jo Dow, Chief Executive of Business Stream, said: “We’re really pleased to have delivered significant savings for Scotland’s public sector again this year.

“Our experience in working with the sector has allowed us to develop a suite of services and solutions that are helping the sector to reduce costs, save time and generate environmental efficiencies. We’re looking forward to delivering further savings in the year ahead”.

Through constantly striving to improve efficiency and service, the 350-strong water retailer has increased public sector savings year-on-year, from £1.4 million in 2021 to £2.2 million in 2022.

As one of the largest water retailers in the UK, Business Stream was awarded the Scottish Government Public Sector Water and Waste Water Framework contract in early 2020. The contract, worth around £200 million over three years, also includes the Scottish Prison Service, universities and colleges and local authorities. In 2022, Business Stream was awarded an additional one-year extension to the contract, which is currently underway.

A spokesperson from the Scottish Procurement and Property Directorate utilities team, said: “Business Stream has continued to work with the public sector to identify water efficiency opportunities.

“This pro-active approach has reduced water consumption and provided financial savings for public sector customers of the Water and Waste Water Framework. Reducing cost and carbon impact is essential for supporting Scotland’s green economic recovery and helping us on our journey to a Net Zero Nation.”

The water retailer recently announced it had delivered £50,000 of funding to six public sector initiatives through its annual Public Sector Scotland (PSS) Water Efficiency Fund.

This year’s successful candidates of the Fund include a Heriot-Watt University initiative to install a water chiller unit to cool, condense and recirculate used water; the installation of modern, electronic low-flow taps at Glasgow Caledonian University; and the fitting of waterless urinals and aerator tap technology at Aberdeen’s Robert Gordon University.

Jo added: “The Water Efficiency Fund plays a key role in identifying and funding innovative ways to minimise water waste and generate efficiency savings. Our investment in these projects highlights our commitment to supporting Scotland’s public sector.”

Originally created in 2006 to offer best in class water services to businesses in Scotland, Business Stream later acquired the non-household customer base of Southern Water ahead of the planned opening of the English retail water market.

That market change in 2017 paved the way for 1.2 million businesses and public bodies in England to be able to choose their water supplier. In 2019 Business Stream acquired the customer base of its competitors Yorkshire Water Business Services (YWBS) and Three-Sixty, doubling its market share.

Business Stream has its HQ in Edinburgh, as well as a presence in Worthing, West Sussex and in Bradford, West Yorkshire. It is guided by its ambitious vision to make a positive difference to its customers, its people, the environment and local communities.

Since launching that vision in 2019, the retailer has introduced more than 30 initiatives, including a 20% water efficiency pledge to help customers reduce water usage. It has also invested in a tree-planting programme which has delivered an additional 10,000 trees in Scotland.

The savings success comes after Business Stream recently halved its carbon emissions in just one year, exceeding the retailer’s pledge to cut emissions by 20% over the same period.

Success for local charities at Scottish Charity Awards

Two Edinburgh charities have each won a top award at the Scottish Charity Awards run by the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO).

Fresh Start Scotland, a charity working to help end homelessness, and Feniks, which supports the integration and wellbeing of the Central Eastern European community in Edinburgh, won their respective awards at a celebratory awards ceremony hosted by Sally Magnusson at the Sheraton Hotel in Edinburgh on Friday (23 June).

Run annually by the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO), the Scottish Charity Awards celebrates the best of the voluntary sector and this year’s shortlist included 32 individuals and organisations from charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups across the country.

West Pilton-based Fresh Start Scotland won the Community Action award. Biddy Kelly, managing director, Fresh Start Scotland, said: “We would like to say how delighted we are to win this prestigious award.

“We have only been able to achieve this thanks to the thousands of people who support us, the dedication and hard work of all our staff and volunteers and to positive and supportive partnerships.”

Feniks won the Campaign of the Year award for their campaign ‘Shed your armour, show the scars’. Magda Czarnecka, chief executive, Feniks said: “Winning the Campaign of the Year category is a humbling and exhilarating experience.

“This victory is a testament to the unwavering commitment of our Community Ambassadors, who dedicated their time and skills to address the most stigmatized challenge within the Polish community.

“We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our partners, See Me Scotland, who believed in our cause and stood beside us on this inspiring journey. This award strengthens our commitment to continue advocating for change and creating a brighter future for the Polish community in Scotland.”

The winner of each of the nine categories was decided by a judging panel, with the tenth People’s Choice category winner decided by the public with over 14,000 votes cast online.

The winners for the Scottish Charity Awards 2023 are:

  • Climate Conscious award: Climate Action Strathaven
  • Campaign of the Year award: Feniks
  • Community Action award: Fresh Start Scotland
  • Volunteer of the Year award: Andrii Zhehestovskyi – Libraries & Information Services Dundee
  • Employee of the Year award: Paul Sheerin – Beatson Cancer Charity
  • Pioneering Project award: Quarriers
  • Trustee of the Year award: Vongayi Mufara – Amma Birth Companions
  • Digital Citizen award: Simon Community Scotland
  • People’s Choice award: Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity
  • Charity of the Year award: Diversified

Anna Fowlie, chief executive of SCVO, said: Anna Fowlie, chief executive of SCVO, said: “What a fabulous event to celebrate the achievements of organisations and people across the voluntary sector in Scotland.

“Our finalists and winners are all shining examples of the great things happening thanks to the commitment of people working and volunteering in charities, community groups and social enterprises, all championing good causes, providing vital support and making our communities better places to live.

“Every community, and every part of our society, benefits from the work that SCVO is lucky to see on a daily basis. Thank you to everyone who participated in the Scottish Charity Awards this year, including our sponsors, the Sheraton Hotel for hosting us and of course to Sally Magnusson who was lovely as ever.

“Congratulations to all the finalists – I’m already looking forward to what the next year brings!

Free Fringe programme revealed

Pick of the Fringe is back this year – with a new clean version to add on to the adult shows!

Getting ready for The Free Edinburgh Fringe Festival!

Our Pick of the Fringe and comedy selection shows this year will be spread throughout the day, and this year along-side the adult shows we have the ‘Clean Pick of the Fringe’ for the first time – a PG rated stand-up show suitable for all 12+.

That new show debuted at this years Adelaide Fringe, followed by the Brighton Fringe and is now making it’s first appearance at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

And we know comics can occasionally slip-up and accidentally put a swear in. So our host Dave Chawner will be on hand with the swear jar and some stern words for any naughty comics!!!

CLEAN Pick: https://tickets.edfringe.com/…/laughing-horse-clean…

ADULT Pick: https://tickets.edfringe.com/…/laughing-horse-pick-of…

ADULT Comedy Selection: https://tickets.edfringe.com/…/laughing-horse-fringe…

See you in August at The Three Sisters – Edinburgh, Pear Tree Bar Edinburgh, Bar 50, Cabaret Voltaire and 32Below!

Edinburgh dancers fly the flag for Scotland at Dance World Cup

Performers unveil new kit ahead of international competition

A group of polished performers from Edinburgh Dance Academy (EDA) will represent Team Scotland at the Dance World Cup which kicks off in Portugal this week.

The award-winning dance school, founded by its Principal Julie Mitchell, is bringing a team of 72 pupils to the event, the largest contingent from Scotland.

The team will be among 7500 dancers from all parts of the globe taking part in the week-long competition being staged in Braga from 30 June – 8 July.

The EDA delegation will be comprised of dancers from its Performance Group, aged between seven and 18.

The performers will take part in the Jazz, Ballet, Contemporary, Show and Commercial sections with EDA teacher Hannah Boyle also competing for Scotland in the Over-18 section performing a solo dance.

In total, the group will take part in over 100 acts where they hope to emulate the school’s gold medal-winning success when it last travelled abroad to compete at the 2018 Dance World Cup in Spain. 

The dances have been choreographed by Hannah Boyle, Megan Ireland, Millie Thomas, Ellen West and Jenni Inglis, who was named the UK’s most inspirational choreographer at the British Isles competition held earlier this year in Blackpool.

Some of the EDA competitors taking part in the Dance World Cup took a break from rehearsals today to unveil their new Scotland track suits which the team will proudly wear at this summer’s event. 

Edinburgh College staff strike over compulsory redundancies

Members of the Educational Institute of Scotland – Further Education Lecturers’ Association (EIS-FELA) at Edinburgh College yesterday took the first in a series of days of strike action in response to compulsory redundancies at the College.

The EIS-FELA Branch at Edinburgh College has had an active strike mandate in place for some weeks in pursuit of a dispute regarding compulsory redundancies, which has been successful in reducing the number of jobs under threat, through negotiation.

The EIS wrote to the College Principal last week urging further talks. Despite this, the College has rejected the appeal of one member of the lecturing staff against compulsory redundancy as of 30th June.

EIS General Secretary, Andrea Bradley said, “The EIS-FELA Branch at Edinburgh College has been left with no option but to proceed with strike action today in the face of wilful intransigence by the management of the College.

“Given the size and scope of Edinburgh College as an organisation, the EIS would have anticipated meaningful discussions and offers of retraining or upskilling for the colleague who faces unemployment as of Friday. 

“Despite retraining or upskilling being raised on several occasions by EIS representatives, and despite a so-called recruitment freeze having been abandoned, these discussions have not taken place, thereby limiting suitable alternatives to redundancy for the colleague who also happens to be an EIS Branch Rep.”

Ms Bradley continued: “It is difficult to fathom how such a large college, which delivers such an array of courses, would be unable to avoid this redundancy situation, especially as teaching hours seem to be available on college timetables for next term, based upon information received by the EIS.

“Spurious excuse after excuse has been made by the College as to why the work cannot be offered to the lecturer in question, appearing that the College cares more about targeting union reps and testing the water on compulsory redundancies of lecturers in the sector rather than ensuring the delivery of quality education and Fair Work for lecturing staff.

“The Scottish Government is culpable in this situation too. They have dealt major blows to Further Education in Scotland in the form of flat cash funding settlements and the recent withdrawal of £26 million of funding for FE.

“Lower than predicted student numbers, coupled with the cost-of-living crisis are also causing financial strain within the sector, yet the Scottish Government has sat back and watched these pressures mount towards the implementation of limited voluntary severance schemes and the very real threat of large numbers of compulsory redundancies in two colleges – City of Glasgow and Edinburgh.

“EIS-FELA, supported by the EIS itself, will not stand by and allow the livelihoods of our members to be threatened in this way. Strike action will continue post-summer unless an acceptable resolution can be reached.

“In the case of Edinburgh College, this should not be anything like the problem that the College has chosen to make it.”

Edinburgh International Film Festival 2023 announce Closing Night film

  • Fremont follows Donya, a former Afghan translator for the U.S. Government who finds herself adrift in the titular Californian town  
  • Featuring a breakout debut performance from former TV journalist Anaita Wali Zada, the cast also includes Jeremy Allen White (The Bear, Shameless US) and Gregg Turkington (On Cinema, Ant-Man) 
  • The film is the fourth feature from BAFTA-nominated British Iranian filmmaker Babak Jalali, whose previous films include Frontier Blues and Radio Dreams 
  • Edinburgh International Film Festival runs from Friday 18 to Wednesday 23 August 2023 with full programme details released on Thursday 6 July 2023 
  • All tickets for Edinburgh International Film Festival go on sale at midday on 7 July via https://www.eif.co.uk/edfilmfest 

Edinburgh International Film Festival (EIFF) which this year is hosted by Edinburgh International Festival, is delighted to announce the Closing Night film for the Festival will be the UK Premiere of BAFTA nominated filmmaker Babak Jalali’s Fremont. 

The film centres on troubled 20-something Donya, played in a breakout debut performance by former TV journalist Anaita Wali Zada, who, like her character in the film, was forced to flee Afghanistan. Donya is an Afghan translator whose work for the U.S. Government has led to her becoming lost and adrift in the titular Californian town.   

Donya takes a new job writing the fortunes at a fortune cookie factory and as her messages begin to be read by those throughout the city, her growing sense of longing drives her to send a more profound statement out to the world. 

Fremont’s dry sense of humour coupled with its stark, black and white cinematography has invited comparisons with the work of Jim Jarmusch and is a deft portrait of a young woman struggling to come to terms with the ghosts of her past, whilst simultaneously yearning for human connection and companionship.   

Featuring an eclectic cast of unforgettable characters and anchored by a touching performance by Zada, Fremont is an ode to the strange and shared experiences of so many immigrants trying to build a life in a new place. 

Fremont marks a personal work for British Iranian director Babak Jalali, whose films have screened at countless festivals around the world. His debut feature Frontier Blues screened at EIFF in 2010, and his sophomore feature, Radio Dreams, premiered at International Film Festival Rotterdam where it won the Festival’s Tiger Award.   

The cast includes Anaita Wali Zada, Jeremy Allen White (The Bear, Shameless US) Gregg Turkington (Ant-Man, On Cinema), Boots Riley (Sorry to Bother You) and Bettina Devin (An Evening with Beverly Duff Lynn). The film is co-written by Carolina Cavalli whose current feature as director is the acclaimed film Amanda. 

Filmmaker Babak Jalali has said: “I’m so honoured that Fremont will have its UK premiere as the Closing Night film at EIFF! Growing up in the UK, it was easy to understand the huge cultural impact EIFF has had not just on these shores but also internationally.

“And the importance of making sure it continues to be here and to thrive. I’m thrilled to be returning to Edinburgh once again to show a film to an audience that I’ve very fond memories of, and in such a prestigious slot in the programme.” 

EIFF Programme Director Kate Taylor has said: “Our programming team was totally captivated by Fremont’s mood, style and subtlety, and adored both the character of Donya and the tender care shown by director Babak Jalali towards his layered protagonist.

“It’s an honour to close this year’s festival with a film that considers the complex dynamics of diaspora experience in such a nuanced way, whilst frequently delighting with its wry wit and off-beat humour. We can’t wait for Edinburgh audiences to fall under its spell.” 

Fremont will be released in the UK this Autumn by Modern Films. 

Hosted by Edinburgh International Festival in 2023, Edinburgh International Film Festival will present a bold, hand-picked programme celebrating the work of exceptional local and global filmmakers and ensuring the flame of EIFF burns bright for future generations of passionate cinema fans. 

Edinburgh International Film Festival 2023 programme including participating film festival venue information launches on Thursday 6 July 2023.  

Edinburgh International Film Festival runs from Friday 18 to Wednesday 23 August 2023. 

All tickets for Edinburgh International Film Festival go on sale at midday on 7 July via https://www.eif.co.uk/edfilmfest 

Sign up for the EIFF  newsletter here. 

#EdFilmFest 

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram 

TUC: We will defend the right to strike at all costs

‘Make no mistake – this is one of the most pernicious pieces of union-bashing legislation you will ever see’

The ongoing Conservative Party psycho-drama has dominated the headlines over the last few weeks (writes TUC General Secretary PAUL NOWAK).

While it has been good to see Boris Johnson finally held accountable, it’s meant that many important issues have slipped under the radar.

The Strikes Bill returns to parliament today (23 June). It won’t get anywhere near the coverage of the vote on the Privileges Committee report, but it should.

Make no mistake – this is one of the most pernicious pieces of union-bashing legislation you will ever see.

And the TUC is by no means alone in saying this.

Over the weekend the UN workers’ rights watchdog, the ILO, demanded that the UK bring trade union rights into line with international law.

In a rare intervention, it instructed UK ministers to “seek technical assistance” from the body and to report back to the ILO in September.

The last time the ILO issued this type of rebuke to the UK was in 1995.

Litany of critics

The spiteful legislation has faced a barrage of criticism from employers, civil liberties organisations, the joint committee on human rights, House of Lords Delegated Powers and Regulatory Reform Committee, race and gender equalities groups, employment rights lawyers, politicians around the world – as well as a whole host of other organisations.

It is no surprise that this Bill has upset and enraged so many.

The UK already has the most restrictive anti-strikes legislation in Western Europe. And these reforms will take the country in an even more draconian direction.

That would mean that when workers lawfully vote to strike in health, education, fire, transport, border security and nuclear decommissioning, they could be forced to attend work – and sacked if they don’t comply. 

As the TUC has repeatedly warned the Strikes Bill is undemocratic, unworkable and almost certainly illegal.

Far from preventing strikes, the Bill will poison industrial relations and escalate disputes.

And for what? So Rishi Sunak can throw some red meat to his backbenchers and look tough to his ungovernable party.

Next steps

So where do we go from here?

The Strikes Bill is back in the Commons after a series of bruising defeats in the Lords.

The government will whip its MPs to vote down much-needed amendments as they try and fast-track the legislation onto the statute books.

Our challenge remains the same. Unions will continue to fight the Bill at every stage and will not rest until these poisonous reforms are defeated, and if passed into law, repealed by the next Labour government.

Last summer, ministers changed the law to allow agencies to supply employers with workers to fill in for those on strike. Unions are currently challenging the change in courts – with a judgment expected soon.

The right to strike is a fundamental British liberty that is vital for the balance of power in the workplace.

We must defend it at all costs. And as I told a TUC rally last month, we are also very clear that we will stand by any worker who exercises their fundamental right to strike.

Minimum Unit Pricing has ‘positive impact’ on health

Report concludes policy has saved lives and cut hospital admissions

Public Health Scotland (PHS) has today published the final report on the independent evaluation of the impact of minimum unit pricing (MUP) for alcohol in Scotland. Evidence shows that MUP has had a positive impact on health outcomes, including addressing alcohol-related health inequalities.

It has reduced deaths directly caused by alcohol consumption by an estimated 13.4% and hospital admissions by 4.1%, with the largest reductions seen in men and those living in the 40% most deprived areas.

MUP led to a 3% reduction in alcohol consumption at a population level, as measured by retail sales. The reduction was particularly driven by sales of cider and spirits through the off-trade (supermarkets and shops) products that increased the most in price. Evidence from a range of data sources shows that the greatest reductions were amongst those households purchasing the most alcohol, with little impact on households purchasing at lower levels.

For those people with alcohol dependence there was limited evidence of any reduction in consumption and there is some evidence of consequences for those with established alcohol dependence on low incomes, that led them to prioritise spending on alcohol over food. At a population level there is no clear evidence of substantial negative impacts on social harms such as alcohol-related crime or illicit drug use.

The evaluation report shows that while the impact on alcoholic drink producers and retailers varied depending on the mix of products made or sold, there is no clear evidence of substantial negative impacts on the alcoholic drinks industry in Scotland as a whole.

Clare Beeston, Lead for the evaluation of MUP, Public Health Scotland said: “We have seen reductions in deaths and hospital admissions directly caused by sustained, high levels of alcohol consumption, and this is further evidence that those drinking at harmful and hazardous levels have reduced their consumption.

“MUP alone is not enough to address the specific and complex needs of those with alcohol dependence who will often prioritise alcohol over other needs, and it is important to continue to provide services and any wider support that addresses the root cause of their dependence.

“Those living in the most socioeconomically deprived areas in Scotland experience alcohol-specific death rates at least five times greater than those living in the least deprived areas. Alcohol-related disorders are a leading contributor to health inequalities in Scotland.

“Overall, the evidence shows that MUP has had a positive impact on improving health outcomes, including alcohol-related health inequalities, and can play a part in addressing the preventable harm that affect far too many people, families and communities.”

Dr Nick Phin, Director of Public Health Science, Public Health Scotland said: “Public Health Scotland is committed to evidence-informed policy, and we are confident in the validity of the robust research published today. The evidence in our report is consistent with earlier research on minimum pricing elsewhere.

“Public Health Scotland is confident that MUP is an effective mechanism to reduce alcohol-related harm in Scotland and we support the continuation of MUP beyond April 2024.”

View the ‘Evaluating the impact of Minimum Unit Pricing for alcohol in Scotland’ report

Drugs and Alcohol Policy Minister Elena Whitham has welcomed research from Public Health Scotland which concludes that Minimum Unit Pricing (MUP) has saved lives, reduced hospital admissions and had a ‘positive impact’ on health.

In their final report of a series, researchers said that ‘robust, independent evaluation’ and the best-available, wide-ranging evidence drawing on 40 independent research publications, showed that MUP has been effective in its main goal of reducing alcohol harm with the reduction in deaths and hospital admissions specific to the timing of MUP implementation.

This follows a study published in March by PHS and University of Glasgow showing MUP reduced alcohol consumption by 3%, deaths directly caused by alcohol consumption by 13.4% and hospital admissions by 4.1%. compared to what would have happened if MUP had not been in place.

Ms Whitham said: ““We’re determined to do all we can to reduce alcohol-related harm and, as this research demonstrates, our world-leading policy is saving lives, reducing alcohol harms and hospital admissions. Just one life lost to alcohol-related harm is one too many and my sympathy goes to all those who have lost a loved one.

“MUP has also contributed to reducing health inequalities. The study found the largest reductions in deaths and hospital admissions wholly attributable to alcohol consumption were seen in men and those living in the 40% most deprived areas.

“We know that additional support is needed for some groups, including those dealing with alcohol dependence and issues such as homelessness. That’s why, alongside MUP, last year £106.8 million was made available to Alcohol and Drugs Partnerships to support local and national initiatives. We will now carefully consider this research as part of ongoing work on reviewing MUP.”

‘INTOLERABLE’: Parents fighting at Ferryhill Primary School

Commenting on news reports of fights breaking out between parents at Ferryhill Primary School, UNISON has denounced the actions as intolerable and are demanding that more must be done to protect all staff, parents and pupils from the threat of violence at work.

UNISON Edinburgh City branch secretary, Tom Connolly said: “This is a serious situation, which we have been working with stakeholders to ensure all pupils, parents and staff are safe.

“It is not acceptable that staff regularly feel threatened at work. We can’t allow any aggressive behaviour towards anyone in our school.”

“UNISON, with other unions, has been trying to find a solution for some months. We are working together with the head teacher, who is extremely supportive, the police and local authority. We are doing everything we can to support staff and parents.

“The unions have met with senior leaders at Edinburgh Council and requested community police to support staff at the beginning and end of the school day when the behaviours are at their worst. We are also looking to see if a voluntary sector family support organisation can provide help.”

“UNISON will continue to work collaboratively over the summer, with the school management team, city councillors and others, to ensure pupils, parents and staff can return to a safe environment for learning.”

The Chair of Ferryhill Parent Council made this statement back on 1st June:

It is with a heavy heart that I must make this statement.

As parents, our top priority is always our children. We willingly sacrifice our free time and forego attending events in order to organize activities and provide treats for the kids at Ferryhill. We strive to ensure that every child is included and receives equal treatment. Over the past few months, we have taken days off from work and given up our personal time to address significant issues that were left behind by the previous parent council.

As the Chair, it is unacceptable for our members to be subjected to backlash, derogatory comments, and verbal abuse.

Regrettably, we have experienced two separate serious incidents today, which will be thoroughly investigated, and the police will be involved if deemed necessary.

Additionally, we have received negative feedback from parents about the selection of activities we have on offer. Taking all of this into account, I have made the difficult decision to suspend any upcoming events that we had planned, as well as future projects aimed at supporting the children at Ferryhill.

After the investigation concludes, we will assess the situation and make a decision regarding whether to proceed or not. Furthermore, we will seek support from the parent forum for any future decisions.

It is important to note that we are here to represent parents and caregivers. However, it is crucial to remember that we are also parents ourselves.

If there is any parent that witnesses the two incidents and would like to come forward please contact me on ferryhillparentcouncil@yahoo.com

Game, set, match for children fed by Mary’s Meals

Children who received Mary’s Meals at school in Malawi win a gold medal at the Special Olympic World Games

A boy and girl who received Mary’s Meals at school in Malawi have won the gold medal in mixed doubles tennis at the Special Olympic World Games.

Hannah Winesi and Patrick Sichamba, who both have additional needs, are celebrating after lifting the coveted award in a match against a team from Bulgaria.

Patrick, 16, also hopes to make it to the final of the singles competition on Sunday, after winning three qualifying matches.  

Mary’s Meals, which was founded in a shed in Dalmally in the Highlands, feeds children living in some of the world’s poorest countries. The promise of a nutritious school meal attracts hungry children into the classroom, where they can gain an education and hope for a better future.

In Malawi, where a third of all primary school-age children eat Mary’s Meals, the charity serves a maize and soya porridge, fortified with essential vitamins and minerals. This is known locally as ‘likuni phala’.

Patrick says: “I was able to train relentlessly because the phala I received every day from Mary’s Meals gave me energy.

“My dad passed away when I was really little. But I think my mum is pretty proud of me, and so is my teacher. I played tennis with him for the first time.

“Tennis has changed my life. Without tennis, I would never have known that I could do anything really well. And I probably never would have gotten on an airplane in my life!”

Mary’s Meals began by feeding just 200 children in Malawi in 2002. The charity now reaches more than 2.4 million children every school day in 18 of the world’s poorest countries.

Karen Gray, Director of Communications at Mary’s Meals, says: “Our life-changing meals attract desperately hungry children into the classroom where they can gain an education and – in the case of Hannah and Patrick – discover an Olympic talent for tennis!

“We are only able to feed 2.4 million little ones every school day because of the kindness of people across the UK who support our work.

“On behalf of the Mary’s Meals family, I would like to say a huge congratulations to these inspirational young people – and good luck to Patrick for Sunday!”

The Special Olympic World Games, currently taking place in Berlin, is the world’s largest inclusive sports event, with around 7,000 athletes from 190 countries competing in 26 sports.

Enid Mauluka, National Director Special Olympics Malawi, says: “For Patrick, if he can’t be in the classroom, then he can’t be on the playing field.

“Children are not motivated in sports or even in school unless there is a meal, because if you’re hungry you have no energy to participate. So, for that reason the Mary’s Meals school feeding programme has made a big difference.”

It costs just £19.15 to feed a hungry child with Mary’s Meals every day for a school year. To find out more, please visit marysmeals.org.uk