Mary’s Meals – The NEN – North Edinburgh News

Alison Hammond and Dermot O’Leary ‘in awe’ of Scottish charity as they back school feeding work

‘As parents ourselves, Dermot and I are in awe of the work that Mary’s Meals does around the world!’

British presenting duo, Alison Hammond and Dermot O’Leary are calling on people across Scotland to give children the gift of hope this Christmas by donating to Mary’s Meals’ appeal, Double The Love.

For a limited time, all donations made to Mary’s Meals will be doubled by a group of generous supporters, up to a total of £1.1 million. Funds raised from the appeal will help the charity, which was founded in a shed in the Scottish Highlands, keep their promise of a daily nutritious meal to children living in the world’s poorest countries including Lebanon, Haiti and South Sudan as well as striving to reach the next hungry children, who are waiting for Mary’s Meals.

Dynamic duo Alison and Dermot are thrilled to be celebrating the launch of the campaign and are urging people to make a lasting impact to the lives of even more children this festive period.

The Double The Love appeal will support Mary’s Meals in its mission to serve daily meals to more than 2.4 million vulnerable children at school. These daily school meals not only satisfy hungry children but fuel their potential by removing a barrier to education, giving them the opportunity for a brighter future.

Alison, who presents British daytime show, This Morning, says: “As parents ourselves, Dermot and I are in awe of the work that Mary’s Meals does around the world! By supporting the charity, you’re giving the little ones more than a meal, you’re fuelling their dreams and empowering their futures.

“During Double The Love, your donation will go further than ever before – just £19.15 feeds a child for an entire school year with Mary’s Meals but this festive season, you can feed two children for the same cost. There’s never been a better time to support this life-changing cause.”

Co-host Dermot adds: “Every child deserves the chance to learn and thrive, and for many, that starts with a simple nutritious meal at school. This Christmas, a small act of generosity can make a big difference to those who need it most.

“Please support Double The Love and donate to Mary’s Meals, allowing your kindness to go twice as far. Together, we can transform the lives of many more desperately hungry children waiting for Mary’s Meals.” 

Marie Doyle, Interim Executive Director of Mary’s Meals, is delighted that the presenters are backing the charity: “Who better to launch our Double The Love appeal than Britain’s much-loved presenting duo, Alison and Dermot! We are beyond grateful to have their support.

“Our school meals programme is needed now more than ever, as rising food prices, the impact of climate change, and ongoing conflicts make it even harder for children in the world’s most vulnerable communities to access a basic education.

“We know that 67 million children are out of school because hunger keeps them working or begging for food. Your donation this Christmas will help us ensure that children continue to receive life-changing meals and to grow our work so we can reach those children who are still waiting.”

Donate today to help Mary’s Meals unlock all the available funds. The gift matching will end once the charity reaches the £1.1 million total.

For more information, please visit marysmeals.org.uk/double.

Sonia and Babita’s story

Sonia, a bright-eyed 10-year-old, and her 14-year-old sister, Babita, come from a humble family. Sadly a few years ago, their world was turned upside down when their father tragically passed away from Covid, followed closely by the loss of their grandmother.

Within a short span of time, the family faced a series of hardships.

Babita recalls: “Before, it was good. Father used to earn money, and I remember him encouraging me to learn and study.”

Sonia continues: “When he died, there was no rice, no food at home. For days, we did not eat. I felt sad, and the whole family went hungry.”

Recognising the family’s struggles, nuns at St Theresa School stepped in to offer support. The girls found some relief in the form of Mary’s Meals’ school feeding programme, serving a daily meal to every pupil attending the school. To provide Sonia with a more stable environment, their mother made the decision to send her to live at the convent school, while Babita travels home to help care for her other siblings.

For Babita, the school meals have become a crucial lifeline, helping to ease the burden food insecurity. At home, she often has only leftovers to eat so the nutritious school meal is vital, especially since she needs the energy to participate in the sports and games she loves.

While Sonia and Babita’s lives have taken different paths since the death of their father and grandmother – one living at the convent, the other at home – their connection remains strong. The meals they share at school bring them together each day, offering a moment to find comfort in each other’s presence.

By donating to Mary’s Meals during Double The Love, people can ensure that more young learners, like Sonia and Babita, are given the opportunity to grow up well-nourished and well-educated, equipped with the skills to lift themselves and their communities out of poverty.

For a limited time only, all donations made to Mary’s Meals will be doubled by a group of generous supporters, up to £1.1 million. 

Visit marysmeals.org.uk/double to find out more.

Edinburgh youth aims to cycle West Highland Way in 24 hours for charity

Cameron Hutchison, 13, is taking on the gruelling challenge to raise money for Mary’s Meals

A young teenager from Edinburgh is aiming to cycle the West Highland Way in just 24 hours for charity later this month.

Cameron Hutchison, 13, and his dad, Colin, 55, are taking on the challenge on mountain bikes for international school feeding charity Mary’s Meals, in the last week of June.

Mary’s Meals, founded in a shed in the Scottish Highlands, provides a daily school meal to more than 2.4 million children in 17 of the world’s poorest countries including Haiti, Malawi and Syria. The promise of a nutritious meal encourages children to the classroom where education is key to a brighter future.

Cameron plans to support the charity by cycling the 96-mile (154 km) route from Milngavie to the foot of Ben Nevis in Fort William, with 4,312 m (12,143 ft) of ascent along the way, non-stop.

Kind-hearted Cameron says: “I really enjoy riding my bike and I love that Mary’s Meals supports the world’s poorest children. Doing something for charity always makes me feel better but also reminds me of how fortunate I am.

“Hikers normally take between four and seven days to complete the trail or three to four days to complete it by bike. I’ll be aiming to cycle the whole route in just one day. My little legs are going to be working hard!”

Throughout June, Mary’s Meals is running its annual active challenge, From Dalmally To Malawi. By signing up to the challenge, participants will take part in a virtual journey from Dalmally, the village in the Highlands of Scotland where Mary’s Meals was founded – only 12 miles away to the closest point on the West Highland Way – to Malawi, where the charity served its first life-changing school meals. 

People can take part in From Dalmally To Malawi in any way they choose, whether walking, running, swimming or cycling, like Cameron. The money raised through sponsorship from family and friends will help to feed hungry children living in the world’s poorest countries.

The charity hopes people will be inspired by Cameron to add their miles for From Dalmally To Malawi, this month.

Dan McNally, Head of Grassroots Engagement at Mary’s Meals, says: “What an inspiration young Cameron is! Not only is he attempting a really tough challenge, but he’s also raising money to better the lives of hungry children. No matter how he finds the West Highland Way, Cameron can hold his head high thanks to his fantastic fundraising.

“We’re not asking you to take on such a difficult challenge, why not get active for Mary’s Meals this month too? Whichever way you want to move, if you sign up for From Dalmally To Malawi, your miles will help us reach our cumulative team goal!”

To sign up for From Dalmally To Malawi, please visit:

www.marysmeals.org.uk/dalmally-to-malawi

To donate to Cameron’s fundraiser for Mary’s Meals, please visit:

www.justgiving.com/page/cameron-hutchison-whw24hours

Woman who walked to Rome and met Pope calls on people to clock up miles to Malawi for Mary’s Meals

Geraldine McFaul, who travelled 2,000 miles on foot from Glasgow to Rome, is taking part in the charity’s From Dalmally To Malawi challenge in June

A woman who took on an epic walking challenge in 2023 is urging people in the UK to join school feeding charity Mary’s Meals’ active challenge, From Dalmally To Malawi, this June.

Last year, Geraldine McFaul, 55, walked all the way from her home in Glasgow to Rome, travelling 2,000 miles on foot in six months. During her amazing adventure, she raised more than £7,500 for Mary’s Meals. To top off Geraldine’s extraordinary journey, she even met The Pope on her arrival to Rome!

Mary’s Meals feeds more than 2.4 million children in 17 countries across the world. The promise of a daily school meal encourages desperately poor children into the classroom where an education is the key to their dreams of a brighter future.

Geraldine says: “Last summer I walked to Rome and met The Pope, now I’m ‘walking’ to Malawi for charity!

“I’ll really be walking around my local area, but our cumulative miles will equal the 7,000 miles from Dalmally to Malawi. Mary’s Meals is an incredible charity and I’m so pleased to support them again this year.

“I’d love for you to join me in June because you can easily turn your miles into meals for hungry little ones!

“The key thing to an active challenge is not to worry about how fast or far you’re going because every step adds up. It’s an amazing sense of achievement when you reach your goal and I can’t wait to share that feeling with you all!”

By signing up to the challenge, participants will take part in a virtual journey from Dalmally, the village in the Highlands of Scotland where Mary’s Meals was founded, to Malawi, where the charity served its first life-changing school meals. 

Participants can take part in From Dalmally To Malawi in any way they choose, whether walking, running, swimming or cycling. The money raised through sponsorship from family and friends will help to feed hungry children living in the world’s poorest countries.

Dan McNally, Head of Grassroots Engagement at Mary’s Meals, says: “We were all so inspired by Geraldine’s walk to Rome last summer and I hope that she can inspire you to take on From Dalmally To Malawi this June.

It only costs £19.15 to feed a child with Mary’s Meals for a school year – that’s 10p a meal – so any amount of money you can raise makes a real difference to the children we feed!”

By taking part, people can change the lives of children like Lapukeni from Malawi.

She says: “I like eating phala (porridge) here at school because it gives me freedom from hunger and worries. I am confident that I will work extra hard in class because of the peace of mind that I get from Mary’s Meals.”

To sign up for From Dalmally To Malawi, please visit:

www.marysmeals.org.uk/dalmally-to-malawi

Deborah Meaden says “I’m in” to Mary’s Meals’ Sponsor A School

International school feeding charity launches Sponsor A School initiative with entrepreneur and TV star

Entrepreneur and Dragons’ Den investor, Deborah Meaden, is backing international school feeding charity Mary’s Meals’ Sponsor A School project.

Mary’s Meals started by feeding 200 children in school in Malawi in 2002 and now is providing school meals to more than 2.4 million hungry children every day in 18 of the world’s poorest countries. The promise of a nutritious meal at school attracts these children into the classroom, where they can gain an education which can be their ladder out of poverty.

The Sponsor A School initiative invites people or groups to fundraise to provide school meals to an entire school. Supporters can simply choose the size of school they wish to sponsor, and they will be allocated a school in either Malawi or Zambia. Supporters can choose to make their donation upfront, or in stages, or begin to fundraise within their community.

Deborah says: “Helping the next generation in an increasingly difficult world is something I am deeply passionate about, and Mary’s Meals is doing incredible work in attracting vulnerable children into education with a daily school meal.

“By sponsoring a school with Mary’s Meals, you can ensure that every child in an entire school receives a daily meal, which will give them energy to learn and thrive in education and beyond. Sponsor A School is a rare opportunity to truly change the lives of hundreds of children.”

Sponsoring a school will help children like Dorophy from Malawi reach their full potential. The introduction of Mary’s Meals at her school has improved her daily life and given her the power to dream of a brighter future.

Dorophy says: “I am very happy to be here at this school. I like it here because of Mary’s Meals. I have developed a hardworking spirit. My life is changing for the better.”

Matt Barlow, Executive Director of Mary’s Meals, says: “I am delighted that Deborah is backing Sponsor A School.

“It is an incredibly important initiative that helps Mary’s Meals reach so many hungry children awaiting our support. This has a huge impact, not only for the children, but for their families and wider communities.

“Supporters who sponsor a school have a real sense of connection to their chosen school and to the children who eat our nutritious school meals. There are so many ways to get involved with Sponsor A School, whether as a group or an individual.”

To find out more about Mary’s Meals and Sponsor A School, please visit:

www.marysmeals.org.uk/sponsor.

Emergency appeal launched to help children on the brink of starvation

International school feeding charity Mary’s Meals is asking for urgent support in response to the spiralling hunger crisis in Ethiopia’s Tigray region

Mary’s Meals has launched an emergency appeal to deliver urgent food aid to children in Ethiopia who are on the brink of starvation.

The current situation in Ethiopia is dire. A combination of drought, displacement, and brutal conflict has left huge areas of the country in crisis. Having lived through the atrocities of the Tigray War, millions of Ethiopians are facing emergency levels of food insecurity and hunger.

The most recent assessment of food security needs from the Government of Ethiopia projected that 15.8 million people in the East African country will face hunger and need food assistance in 2024. This includes more than four million internally displaced people and 7.2 million experiencing high levels of food insecurity and needing emergency help1.

International school feeding charity Mary’s Meals has been working in Ethiopia since 2017 and feeds 24,320 children every school day. With its local partner, it provides daily school meals to marginalised and disadvantaged children in the impoverished Tigray region in the north-east of the country, close to the Eritrean border.

The Tigray region is one of the worst affected by the hunger crisis. According to the BBC, 200,000 children in Tigray have left school in the last three months alone2, with many of them working, begging or scavenging for food to survive.

During the civil war, Mary’s Meals provided community feeding programmes to 30,000 people while schools were closed and families were displaced.

Following the ceasefire agreement in November 2022 and the re-opening of schools, Mary’s Meals has now fully reinstated its school feeding programme across Tigray. This is bringing hungry children back into education and providing a lifeline to them and their families living in extreme poverty in these challenging days.

But with an estimated 7.6 million children in Ethiopia out of school because of the conflict and climate shocks3, it is critical that the programme is extended to attract more children into the classroom where they will be given energy to learn and the hope of a brighter future.

Now, there is an urgent dual priority – ensuring that children in Tigray have food and boosting their chances of engaging with education again.

Matt Barlow, Executive Director of Mary’s Meals, says: “The stories we are hearing from our partner in Ethiopia are simply devastating.

“The two-year civil war has caused widespread destruction and left physical and mental scars on people all over Tigray, including children – many of whom have missed years of schooling and who are now starving. The war has undone years of progress in Tigray’s education system and we know the impact of children missing years of learning is huge.

“With your support, we can bring these hungry children back to the classroom and give them a nutritious meal which will allow them to focus on their lessons and give them an education. Ultimately this will help to lift them, their families and communities out of the extreme poverty they are living in”.

As funds allow, Mary’s Meals’ partner is ready and waiting to extend its feeding programme to more schools, in areas of great need across the region. They will work together to reach as many more children as possible with daily meals in school over the coming weeks and months.

Matt continues: “The situation is urgent. But there is something you can do. You can help to bring these desperate children back from the brink of starvation.

“Throughout the UK, I have witnessed people respond with incredible acts of kindness in moments of crisis and when all hope may seem lost.

“Now, we need your support. Please donate what you can today – even the smallest donation can help to save a life.”

To find out more about the Mary’s Meals Crisis in Ethiopia appeal, please visit www.marysmeals.org.uk/campaigns/crisis-in-ethiopia

One year on: Syria’s children recall life-changing earthquake as Mary’s Meals shines light in darkness

Mary’s Meals continues to support the children of Syria traumatised by ‘a night they will never forget’ and years of civil war

On 6 February 2023, two earthquakes – registering 7.8 and 7.5 magnitude – hit Syria and Turkey, killing many thousands of people and displacing thousands more.

After over a decade of civil war, the people of Syria had to fight again for their survival. Communities, many of them made up of people already displaced by conflict, had very little access to food and shelter. Families lost their loved ones and their

Within hours of the earthquakes, Mary’s Meals launched an emergency appeal, and thanks to donations from all over the world, the charity’s local partner Dorcas delivered life-saving food aid to 7,000 people every day in Aleppo. Support was also later extended to provide hygiene packs, blankets and counselling services to those affected by the tragedy.

One year on, Syria’s children continue to feel the life-changing impact of the earthquakes.

Kevork is 10 years old, studies in the fifth grade and loves to play basketball with his friends.

He says: “When the earthquake happened, I was sleeping and woke up to the voices of my family and brothers. At first, I did not understand anything. Everything was moving. When it stopped, I felt very afraid.

“I started crying and I ran to my family. When I was on my way to them, the earthquake came again, and I started screaming. Then, my family and I left the house. It was 4:30 in the morning, and it was pitch dark, cold and rainy. I will never forget this night.”

Hamza is nine years old and studies in the fourth grade. He is passionate about life, loves learning and loves helping others.

He says: “My five brothers and I felt very afraid. We moved to the park when the earthquake happened. It was pitch black, there was no electricity, and it was raining … everyone was afraid.

“We returned home two hours later and I slept, but at one o’clock in the afternoon, the earthquake repeated, and here it became much worse. I did not want to return to the house for fear of its destruction.

“My school was closed. I missed my friends and playing with them, and I missed my lessons. My life has changed a lot since the earthquake.”

Mary’s Meals has been working in Aleppo since 2017, feeding more than 4,000 children every school day. Working with Dorcas, the charity serves nutritious meals at school, attracting children to the classroom, many of whom are still experiencing the symptoms of trauma caused by almost 13 years of civil war.

Jessi, 26, has been part of the Dorcas team since 2019. After the earthquake struck at 4.20am, Jessi and her colleagues responded immediately, providing food, drink and shelter for desperate families.

Fuelled by the support of the emergency appeal, Mary’s Meals and Dorcas were able to shine a light in the darkness for those enduring immense suffering in Syria.

Jessi says: “After overcoming the immediate shock, the most important thing for us was providing food and drink for families, and then to try to restore their homes or search for other places to be homed.

“A large number of individuals were affected and no-one had any food, so it made a big difference in meeting the needs during the crisis.

“Children ran to our doors to receive food. There were elderly people who thanked us, especially those who had a disability and were unable to move and meet their own needs.

“I cannot describe my feeling of joy when we were sitting in a circle with the children and sandwiches were being distributed to them and they were eating them with enjoyment, joy, and laughter.

“We cannot forget the psychological factor that all children, men and women experienced, and the elderly. Even now, the psychological effects are clear to everyone.”

Kevork says: “The school was closed after the earthquake for about two months. I missed school, especially my friends and seeing them. I prayed every day for this to end. I love math and playing with my friends.”

The economic situation the residents of Aleppo are experiencing remains very difficult. Many families only have bread because they live on aid only and there is no income sufficient to meet their needs for food. So, all the children wait for food from Mary’s Meals.

Sometimes the children are asked why they didn’t eat their sandwich, and the answer is that they will share it with their siblings at home because they don’t have food.

Although many families still rely on support to help meet their basic needs, Mary’s Meals is helping to restore stability and giving children in Syria hope and the chance to dream of a brighter future.

Hamza says: “Most children cannot bring food with them to school. When I get a sandwich at school, I feel happy and full, which helps me focus more, and I’m happy to share food with my friends.

“In future, I would like to become a pilot because I love flying so much. I would like to one day fly and visit Turkey.”

In a country where more than 2 million children remain out of school and more than a quarter of children under five years old suffer chronic malnutrition, Mary’s Meals’ school feeding programme is more important than ever.

Help feed more children like Kevork and Hamza around the world by donating today: www.marysmeals.org.uk/

Celebrities share their 2024 goals in support of Mary’s Meals

Jean Johansson, Eilish McColgan, Gary Maclean and Scarlette and Stuart Douglas encourage others to take on new challenges while fundraising for charity

Running, baking and craft-making are just some of the activities that celebrities are taking up at the start of 2024 as we all embark upon our New Year’s resolutions.

Jean Johansson, Eilish McColgan, Gary Maclean and Scarlette and Stuart Douglas are all supporters of international school feeding charity, Mary’s Meals.

Mary’s Meals feeds more than 2.4 million children every school day in 18 of the world’s poorest countries including Haiti, Malawi and Syria. The promise of a nutritious meal encourages children into the classroom, so that instead of working or looking for food, they can gain an education and hope for a brighter future.

There are a number of different ways to fundraise for the charity and top TV and sporting stars are asking others to share in their goals for the year ahead to help feed more hungry children in 2024.

Scottish long-distance running champion Eilish McColgan, who is training for this year’s summer Olympics, is encouraging people to sign up for Move For Meals to help them stick to their New Year’s fitness plans.

She says: “The Move For Meals challenge is a really simple way to turn your moves into meals and make a life-changing difference to hungry children across the world. From walking to running, swimming and playing football, you can take part in Move For Meals in any way you choose.”

Meanwhile, if you’re looking to brush up on your baking skills this year, celebrity chef Gary Maclean is urging families to pull on their aprons and fundraise through Raise Some Dough.

The MasterChef: The Professionals winner says: “A bake sale is a great way to perfect your favourite cake, while raising funds to enable this incredible charity to reach the next child waiting for Mary’s Meals.

“Baking is also an excellent activity to keep the kids entertained and by Raising Some Dough, you can help instil that charitable spirit in your little ones too!”

The start of a new year often sees people take up new hobbies, including arts and crafts. A Place In The Sun presenter Jean Johansson believes sewing, knitting or crocheting can be a wonderful way to unwind, while fundraising for those in need through Make For Meals.

Jean says: “Maybe you’re already a nifty knitter or a master maker, or perhaps 2024 will be your first foray into the world of crafting.

“Either way, you can turn your creativity into life-changing meals for children. By simply selling your crafts to family and friends, or setting up a making marathon fundraiser, you can raise vital funds for Mary’s Meals.”

And if you’re perhaps lacking motivation to maintain those New Year’s resolutions, why not team up with a sibling or family member to tackle them together?

Brother and sister-presenting duo Scarlette and Stuart Douglas have joined forces to Double The Love this January. Until the end of January, donations made to Mary’s Meals will be doubled by a group of generous supporters, up to £1.1 million.

Scarlette says: “Stuart and I are competitive siblings and we’re always challenging each other to achieve our goals.

“At the start of this year, we’ll both be Doubling The Love and donating to Mary’s Meals. The fact that Mary’s Meals can feed a child for a whole school year for just £19.15 is an amazing feat.

“And with Double The Love, £19.15 will feed two children for a school year, so there’s never been a better time to donate!”

To find out how you can support Mary’s Meals while achieving your 2024 goals, visit marysmeals.org.uk.

Jean Johansson spreads ho-ho-hope with Mary’s Meals this Christmas

TV star teams up with international school meals charity to encourage families to bring hope to hungry children over the festive season

A Place in the Sun star Jean Johansson is encouraging parents across Scotland to leave out a Mary’s Meals gift card for Santa to deliver to a hungry child this Christmas, to help feed children in some of the world’s poorest countries.

Together with the international school meals charity, the Port Glasgow-raised presenter is inspiring parents to include a Mary’s Meals gift card when they traditionally leave treats and letters out for Father Christmas on 24 December, the idea being that Santa will then pass this on to a child in need.

Mary’s Meals, which was founded in a shed in Dalmally in the Highlands by founder Magnus MacFarlane-Barrow, feeds more than 2.4 million children every school day in 18 countries including Haiti, Malawi and Syria. The promise of a nutritious meal encourages children into the classroom, so that instead of working or looking for food, they can gain an education and hope for a brighter future.

Mum of one, Jean, who recently landed a hosting role on This Morning, says: “Alongside milk and cookies, my son and I will be leaving out a Mary’s Meals gift card for Santa to pass on to a hungry child this year. These Christmas gift cards cost just £19.15 and will feed a child with Mary’s Meals for a whole school year.

“Christmas is a time for giving, and there is no better gift than the gift of hope for a hungry child. Mary’s Meals brings joy to children all year round, and these beautiful cards will allow you to give that joy in the form of a life-changing daily school meal.

“It’s also a great opportunity to introduce children to the idea of giving back at Christmas and showing them how they can help others at this special time of year.”

By purchasing a gift card from the Scotland-based charity, your support can have a huge impact on the life of a child, like Sushila, this Christmas.

Sushila lives in a rural part of Jharkhand, India. Her father died of a snake bite and her mother was unable to support Sushila without his income so she went to live with her grandparents.

Sushila has to walk 8km each way to school every day, but she is determined to keep studying. Sushila says: “There are many times when I don’t eat at home, so when I eat at school it gives me lots of energy and I feel great.

“I like to study and want to change my life, so the food is a big bonus.”

Dan McNally, Head of Grassroots Engagement, at Mary’s Meals says: “We’re so grateful to Jean for spreading ho-ho-hope this Christmas and helping us to reach the next hungry child waiting for Mary’s Meals.

“Our beautiful Christmas cards and gifts will not only put a smile on the faces of your friends, family and Santa Claus himself, but crucially, will change the lives of hungry children living in some of the world’s poorest countries.”

Gift cards, Christmas card packs and other festive gifts including mugs, dog bandanas and 2024 calendars are available to buy now from marysmeals.org.uk/shop.

Until 22 January 2024, donations made to Mary’s Meals will be doubled by a group of generous supporters, up to £1 million.

The charity is encouraging people to Double The Love this Christmas during this period so they can help Mary’s Meals to provide a nutritious daily meal in school for hungry children living in some of the world’s poorest countries.

To donate, visit marysmeals.org.uk.

Stephen O’Donnell calls on football fans to get active to feed hungry children with Mary’s Meals

The Scotland and Motherwell defender is asking people to set an active goal for the start of the new football season and raise funds for international school feeding charity Mary’s Meals

Footballer Stephen O’Donnell, who has been capped by the Scotland national team 26 times, is calling on football fans to help feed hungry children in some of the world’s poorest countries by signing up to Mary’s Meals’ active fundraising challenge, Move For Meals.

Mary’s Meals feeds more than 2.4 million children every school day in 18 countries including Ethiopia, Haiti and Zimbabwe. The promise of a nutritious meal encourages children into the classroom where they can gain an education and hope for a brighter future.

By taking part in the charity’s Move For Meals challenge, supporters can turn their moves into meals and make a life-changing difference to hungry children across the world.

From walking and running, to swimming and playing football – participants can take part in Move For Meals in any way they choose.

Stephen, who has played an important role in Motherwell’s strong start to the Scottish Premiership campaign, said: “As a footballer, I have a real passion for helping people have fun while they keep fit. That’s why I’m very excited to support Mary’s Meals’ active challenge, Move For Meals.

“By simply putting on your boots, grabbing a football and having a five-a-side kickabout with your mates, you can ask your friends and family for sponsorship to help feed children in some of the world’s poorest communities.”

Marie Doyle, director of supporter engagement and income at Mary’s Meals, said: “We’re really thankful to Stephen for supporting our active fundraising challenge and sharing our goal of reaching the next hungry child.

“By taking part in Move For Meals, you can show off your football skills while making a life-changing difference to hungry children across the world.”

Move For Meals will help children like Sebastian from Malawi, who dreams of becoming a professional footballer. Thanks to Mary’s Meals, he eats a mug of vitamin-enriched porridge that gives him energy to learn and play and allows him to have hope for the future.

Sebastian said: “I like the Mary’s Meals porridge as it provides me with the vital energy I need throughout the school day.

“For some of us who like playing sports after class, it becomes easier for us to enjoy the sports as we do not have to worry about going home to eat before participating in the games.”

It costs just £19.15 to feed a child with Mary’s Meals for an entire school year.

Signing up for Move For Meals couldn’t be easier. Find out more, including about accessing a free Mary’s Meals T-shirt at: marysmeals.org.uk/move-for-meals

MasterChef encourages families to Raise Some Dough this summer

Gary Maclean provides the perfect recipe for families to start baking in support of Mary’s Meals

MasterChef Gary Maclean is encouraging families to get baking over the summer holidays and raise vital funds for Mary’s Meals.

Scotland’s national chef, who won MasterChef: The Professionals in 2016, is supporting the charity’s Raise Some Dough campaign which asks people to host a fundraising bake sale to help feed hungry children.

Mary’s Meals serves nutritious school meals to more than 2.4 million children in 18 of the world’s poorest countries – including Ethiopia, Syria and South Sudan. The promise of a daily meal attracts children into the classroom, where they can gain an education and hope for the future.

For first-time bakers and kids keen to get involved in the kitchen this summer, Gary suggests biscuit making as the best way to get started.

He says: “It’s great to do this with kids because it should only take 15 to 20 minutes for a biscuit to bake, and it doesn’t really matter what shape they come out.

“I’ve got great memories of making biscuits with my mum.

“We can now introduce that side of it to our kids and it’s an entry point for them to start enjoying cooking and baking.”

Gary, who is executive chef at the City of Glasgow College, has been a long-time supporter of Mary’s Meals. He says: “Initially what brought Mary’s Meals to my attention was that connection between education and food.

“Obviously, we need both. But to bring that together, it really helps families getting children fed, but also getting them educated, because education can be their route out of poverty.”

And when asked which biscuits he’ll be enjoying with his family over the school summer holidays, the celebrity chef admitted: “I probably make more biscuits than I eat them! I like things with coconut, I do like dark chocolate.

“Over the summer holidays, I’d encourage parents and kids to get involved in Raise Some Dough. Any money raised goes a long way with Mary’s Meals, so every penny counts!”.

People across the UK can download a free Raise Some Dough fundraising pack from the charity’s website, which includes a book packed full of tasty biscuit recipes from some of the UK’s favourite celebrities – including Stephen Fry, Dame Joanna Lumley, Ellie Taylor, Rosemary Shrager and Judy Murray.

The charity will also send bakers a free mug-shaped cookie cutter, based on the mugs from which many children eat their daily serving of Mary’s Meals.

It costs just £19.15 to feed a child with Mary’s Meals for a whole school year, which means every penny raised through baking will help to transform young lives around the world.

To order your free Raise Some Dough fundraising pack, please visit:

marysmeals.org.uk/raise.

Gary Maclean’s Perkins Biscuits recipe

Perkins biscuits are not to be confused with the Yorkshire biscuit called Parkins. They are similar, but not the same. Perkins are worth a go if you like your biscuits with an oaty texture. This is my type of biscuit, another very easy one to make and I think they look amazing. You could also add your own twist by topping them with some dark chocolate.

Ingredients:

120g / 4 ¼ oz Plain Flour/All-purpose
120g / 4 ¼ oz Rolled Oats
60 g / 2 ½ oz Unsalted Butter, diced and cold
85 g / 3oz Caster Sugar
1tsp Bicarbonate of Soda/Baking powder
½ tsp Ground Ginger
½ tsp Ground Cinnamon
¼ Mixed Spice
100g / 3 ½ oz Golden Syrup
100g / 3 ½ oz Blanched Almonds.

Method:

Pre-heat oven to 180°C/350˚F.
Take the flour, bicarbonate of soda/baking powder, ginger, cinnamon and spices and sift them into a large bowl.
Add the butter and rub until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs.
Add the oats, sugar, and mix.
Take a small pan and warm the golden syrup until it is of a pouring consistency, try not to heat it too much.
Pour the golden syrup into the bowl and mix to form a stiff dough.
Line two baking trays with parchment paper.
Split the mixture in half and roll into a long sausage shape.
Cut the sausage shape into 12 equal parts, do the same with the other half of the dough, you should end up with 24 pieces.
Roll each piece up into a ball, split the balls between the two trays leaving a gap between the balls.
Gently press the tops of your biscuits with your thumb and top each with a blanched almond.
Bake in your oven for 10 minutes, until the biscuits have spread and are golden.
Leave to cool on the tray until cool enough to touch before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.