Tag: Mary’s Meals

Edinburgh secondary schools can fundraise to feed hungry children

Secondary schools in Edinburgh can fundraise to feed an entire school of hungry children by signing up for a charity’s life-changing Feed A School initiative. 

Mary’s Meals provides meals to more than 3 million children every school day in some of the world’s poorest communities across 16 countries. The promise of a nutritious meal at school attracts these children into the classroom, where they can gain an education that can be their ladder out of poverty. Yet millions of children still miss out on going to school due to hunger.  

Through Feed A School, secondary schools can ensure every pupil at a school in Malawi or Zambia receives a nutritious meal every day for a full school year.

The initiative is a transformative way to give hundreds of vulnerable children hope for a better future. Providing healthy meals for a whole school has a huge impact not only on the children, but also on their families and the wider community. 

Feeding an entire school for a year is more achievable than many realise – with Mary’s Meals, it costs just 10p a day to provide a child with a nutritious school meal. Whether schools choose to fundraise on their own, or join with others in the area, they will develop a real sense of connection to their chosen school and to the children they are helping, with updates from the feeding programme and a final report from the Malawian or Zambian school at the end of the year. 

A school’s support can bring hope to more children like Sean, aged 12, from Mbayani Primary School in Malawi. Hunger is a daily struggle for Sean and his classmates, but with Mary’s Meals, they have a chance at a brighter future.

He says: “Mostly there is no money, and we don’t eat at home, but I know I will get porridge at school. I am happy at school and I want to be a scientist. Porridge will help me take the next steps.” 

Schools that choose to fundraise won’t be doing it alone. Mary’s Meals will be there to support schools throughout their fundraising year – and each participating school will be joining others up and down the country who agree that in this world of plenty, no child should miss school because they are too hungry to learn. 

Every year since 2017, pupils at St Andrew’s and St Bride’s High School in East Kilbride have organised a five day ‘porridge pledge’ to raise funds to feed all 288 children at Damu Primary School in Malawi for a full school year with Mary’s Meals.

During the pledge, the pupils eat only plain foods, like porridge, rice and toast – sacrificing their favourite foods so their friends at Damu can enjoy school meals for a whole year. In 2025, they surpassed their £5,515.20 target, raising an incredible total of more than £11,000.

Religion Moral Citizenship Education (RMCE) teacher, Jacqueline Nelson, says: “I can honestly say Feed A School with Mary’s Meals is one of the best things that we have ever done in our school.

“Through Feed A School, we live what we teach – we directly help our global brothers and sisters, those who we will never meet yet still love and it allows us to place the needs of some of the most vulnerable people in the world first. It’s beautiful. It brings true joy.” 

Claire Benjamin, Director of Supporter Engagement for Mary’s Meals UK, adds: “Choose to Feed A School and you will make a lasting difference to children, their families and their whole communities.

“We serve children in schools of many different sizes, which means Feed A School offers a wide range of fundraising targets to suit every school community. Schools can sign up to Feed A School in Malawi or Zambia today and turn a year of school meals into a lifetime of impact.”  

Find out more at www.marysmeals.org.uk/feed-a-school

Edinburgh’s People’s Postcode Lottery players help school feeding charity hit £7 million milestone

Thanks to players, 478,968 children now receive nutritious meals through Mary’s Meals

Generous players of People’s Postcode Lottery in Edinburgh have helped raise more than £7 million for international school feeding charity Mary’s Meals, supporting its transformational work to encourage hungry children into the classroom and help them build a brighter future through education.

Founded in a shed in the Scottish Highlands, Mary’s Meals serves daily school meals to more than three million children in some of the world’s poorest communities. The charity’s school feeding programme provides nutritious daily meals that attract children into the classroom, where education becomes a pathway out of poverty.

The decade-long partnership between People’s Postcode Lottery and Mary’s Meals has achieved remarkable success. Thanks to players, 478,968 children now receive nutritious meals every school day, with more than 39 million meals served to date in 16 countries around the world through this support.

Laura Chow, Head of Charities at People’s Postcode Lottery, says: “It’s fantastic to know that for a decade our players have supported the essential work of Mary’s Meals – and have now raised an incredible £7 million to help children across the globe access nutritious meals.

“This funding helps children in some of the most underserved communities go to school well fed, ready to learn and full of hope for a brighter future.”

During the first seven years of the partnership, funding from People’s Postcode Lottery players played a key role in supporting Mary’s Meals’ work including Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Zambia, Madagascar, Ethiopia and South Sudan, as well as strengthening the organisation through key organisational development projects.

More recently, funding has been provided on an unrestricted basis, enabling Mary’s Meals to direct resources where they are needed most across all 16 countries where it operates.

The school feeding programme addresses a variety of challenges, including educational barriers and gender inequality. Girls account for 50% of the children benefiting from Mary’s Meals, yet with 119 million girls still out of school worldwide, ensuring access to education remains a vital step in breaking the cycle of poverty.

For 12-year-old Efigénia who attends Tindzawene Primary School in Mozambique, the promise of a daily school meal is a source of hope in challenging times. She says: “With school meals, I feel good because even with a lack of food at home, here at school I have a meal and I can study.”

Over the past ten years, players from Edinburgh have helped support significant milestones in the Mary’s Meals journey, from feeding one million children in 2015, to the expansion of school feeding programmes in Tigray, Ethiopia and Syria in 2017, and the launch of a new programme in Mozambique in 2024.

At the end of last year, Mary’s Meals reached a major milestone, now serving daily school meals to more than three million children worldwide. This achievement was driven by programme expansions in the first half of 2025, which saw 462,000 additional children across Ethiopia, Haiti, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, South Sudan, Zambia and Zimbabwe benefit from the school feeding programme.

Such progress would not have been possible without the vital support of People’s Postcode Lottery players, whose contributions continue to fuel the charity’s growth.

Gemma Love, Philanthropy and Institutional Partnerships Manager, says: “We are incredibly grateful to People’s Postcode Lottery players in Edinburgh, whose ongoing support is helping us reach more children than ever before with a daily school meal that encourages learning, brings hope and changes lives.

“Seeing the difference this support makes for children and communities inspires us to keep going and to reach even more children in the years ahead.”

To find out more about the work of Mary’s Meals and ways to get involved, please visit marysmeals.org.uk.

Deborah Meaden calls on people to help hungry children ahead of Random Acts of Kindness Day

Dragons’ Den star has teamed up with Mary’s Meals to show small change, just 10p, can have a big impact 

MaryÕs Meals Deborah Meaden joins forces with MaryÕs Meals as part of their ongoing Sponsor a School campaign.

Entrepreneur and Dragons’ Den star Deborah Meaden is encouraging people across the country to invest in a child’s future today – Random Acts of Kindness Day (Tuesday, 17 February).

Longtime supporter Deborah has once again teamed up with international school feeding charity Mary’s Meals and is calling on the public to make a big impact with their small change. 

Deborah says: “It costs just 10p to feed a hungry child with Mary’s Meals, and just £19.15 for a full school year. How incredible is that?!  

“This Random Acts of Kindness Day is the perfect time to give a little to Mary’s Meals. Your kindness will ensure that children in some of the world’s poorest communities can learn and play on a full tummy, allowing them to be the happy children they were born to be.”

“How often do you find 10p down the back of the sofa or hidden in your jacket pocket? It’s remarkable that that one coin can have such a substantial impact on a hungry child, giving them a nutritious meal in school on a day where they otherwise may not have had anything else to eat.”

Mary’s Meals feeds a daily school meal to three million children in 16 countries including Ethiopia, Haiti and Yemen. The charity, founded in a shed in the Highlands in 2002, encourages children experiencing poverty and hunger into the classroom where they gain a basic education that can provide an escape route from poverty.

Thanks to the kindness of those donating, 11-year-old Mickael from Madagascar is thriving both in the classroom and on the football pitch.

Mickael says: “What has changed in me since the school feeding started is that I am not hungry at school and I can focus during class.  

“My favourite subject at school is mathematics and my favourite game is playing football because we compete between class, during the break.”

Deborah says: “With your support, children like Mickael can reach their full potential. I’m delighted to be supporting Mary’s Meals, and stories of Mickael’s and three million children like him show that a little kindness really does go a long way!”

Dan McNally, Head of Grassroots Engagement at Mary’s Meals, says: “We all know from Deborah’s role on Dragons’ Den that she knows the power of investment, and we’re incredibly thankful for her support as we invest in the future of children by providing them with nutritious meals and a chance to realise their potential.

“Random Acts of Kindness Day gives us the chance to reflect and take action to help those less fortunate than us. Mary’s Meals’ low-cost model means even the smallest donation can have a life-changing impact on hungry children.”

To find out more and to donate to Mary’s Meals, please visit:

 marysmeals.org.uk 

Edinburgh’s St Mary’s Catholic Cathedral to host Christmas Choir Concert to help feed hungry children

Join Mary’s Meals for an uplifting fundraising Christmas Choir Concert at the city’s St Mary’s Catholic Cathedral

This Christmas, Edinburgh residents can give the gift of hope to hungry children – by joining Mary’s Meals for a lively celebration of Christmas through song. 

The event takes place on Wednesday, 17 December from 19:00 to 21:00, and will include a fantastic selection of joyous carols, uplifting music and inspirational songs, sung by Voices and Sister Sister – two local community choirs. Guests will also get to enjoy a mug of hot chocolate, a glass of mulled wine and mince pies. 

Proceeds from the event go towards providing nutritious school meals for hungry children living in some of the world’s poorest communities. These meals attract children into the classroom where they can gain an education that can be their ladder out of poverty. 

The Scotland-based charity reaches an incredible three million children every school day, across 16 countries – including Ethiopia, Haiti and Zimbabwe. 

Tickets for the event start at £8 and can be secured by visiting: 

marysmeals.org.uk/get-involved/charity-events  

Sally Davidson, Mary’s Meals Supporter Engagement Officer for East Scotland, says: “It costs just £19.15 to feed a child with Mary’s Meals for an entire school year – or just 10p a meal.

“Help us turn hunger into hope for children still waiting for our life-changing meals by joining us for a night of joy, connection, and purpose.” 

Give hope this Christmas – and with Double The Love, your donation can go twice as far! From 10 November, all donations made to Mary’s Meals will be doubled by a group of generous supporters, up to £1.1 million.

The gift matching will end when we reach the £1.1 million pot. Together, through Double The Love, we can transform the lives of many more desperately hungry children waiting for Mary’s Meals.

Donate today by visiting donate.marysmeals.org/gb  

Date and time  

Wednesday, 17 December, 19:00 – 21:00

Address 

St Mary’s Catholic Cathedral, 61 York Place, Edinburgh, EH1 3JD. 

Scots school pupils can be heroes for hungry children around the world with Pocket Money for Porridge

Just a 10p donation can feed a hungry child with Mary’s Meals charity initiative, backed by Hebridean Baker Coinneach MacLeod

School children in Scotland can be heroes for hungry children in some of the world’s poorest communities by donating their pocket money for porridge.

Mary’s Meals’ Pocket Money for Porridge campaign, run in partnership with Inner Wheel, is calling on teachers to set up a collection where pupils can each donate 10p to the charity. The charity’s low-cost approach means they can serve a school meal to a hungry child for just 10p.

Mary’s Meals feeds three million children with a nutritious meal every school day in 16 countries. The promise of a daily meal encourages children from the world’s poorest communities into the classroom where they will gain an education that could be their ladder out of poverty.

In some of the countries where Mary’s Meals works – Malawi, Zambia, and Zimbabwe – the school meal served is a vitamin-enriched porridge, which helps children to learn and grow. Schools are being encouraged to run a Pocket Money for Porridge collection in conjunction with World Porridge Day on 10 October.

The initiative is being backed by social media sensation and bestselling cookbook author Coinneach MacLeod, the Hebridean Baker.

Coinneach, cookbook author, TV star and a judge in this year’s Golden Spurtle World Porridge Making Championship, says: “It’s incredible that something as humble as my favourite breakfast – porridge oats, can do so much good.

“Filling a hungry child’s tummy and opening the door to learning, that’s the wonderful work of Mary’s Meals. 

“I’d love for kids in classrooms in Scotland to support Mary’s Meals this World Porridge Day and throughout October by bringing 10p to class, which can stop a child going hungry.”

For Ivy, a pupil at Nansato Primary School in Malawi, her daily cup of porridge makes a real difference to her performance in school. She says: “Porridge gives me enough energy to learn better.

“After eating porridge, I actively take part in class and the porridge keeps me healthy. If there was no porridge at school, it could have been difficult for me to understand what the teachers teach due to hunger.”

Sally Davidson, Supporter Engagement Officer at Mary’s Meals, says: “Just 10p can change the world! We can serve a school meal to a hungry child for that tiny amount, and we want pupils here to help this October.

“World Porridge Day is coming up on October 10 and there’s never been a better time to make the power of porridge go even further!”

Teachers can download a Pocket Money for Porridge fundraising pack, packed full of ways their class can get involved, from:

 marysmeals.org.uk/campaigns/pocket-money-for-porridge

Scotland’s National Chef Gary Maclean shares top 5 BBQ hacks – and his own Scottish barbecue twists

MasterChef champion Gary Maclean has teamed up with Mary’s Meals this National BBQ Week to encourage Scots to back the charity throughout barbecue season

Firing up the barbecue this week? Gary Maclean, Scotland’s National Chef, has you covered! 

It’s National BBQ Week and MasterChef champion and long-time Mary’s Meals supporter Gary has compiled his top five tips to make a stress-free family cookout. 

Gary is backing the international school meals charity once more and encouraging people to donate to Mary’s Meals during National BBQ Week (26 May – 1 June). 

Mary Meals feeds more than 2.6 million children every school day in 16 countries across the world. By offering a daily meal in school, Mary’s Meals attracts children from the world’s poorest communities into the classroom where they can gain an education which can be their ladder out of poverty. 

Gary says: “It costs only £19.15 to feed a child with Mary’s Meals for a school year, just 10p a meal, which is such incredible value!

“This National BBQ Week, you could ask family and friends for a small donation to come along to your barbecue, and if you use my five top tips, you’ll make your guests happy all while giving hope to hungry children.” 

  1. Marinate ahead
    Marinate meat overnight to build flavour and tenderise. A mix of whisky, honey, cracked pepper and thyme works well with pork, chicken or game.
  2. Bring to room temperature
    Take meat or fish out of the fridge 30 minutes before cooking. It’ll cook more evenly and won’t stick to the grill as much.
  3. Use two heat zones
    Set your barbecue with a hot side for searing and a cooler side for finishing. It gives you more control and helps avoid flare-ups.
  4. Add a bit of smoke
    A handful of soaked oak chips or sprigs of rosemary on the coals adds great flavour. Dried heather works too, if you have it.
  5. Rest before carving
    Let meat rest under foil before serving. It keeps it juicy and gives you better texture.

Bonus Tips 

  • Grilled Veg – Courgettes, mushrooms, and leeks grill beautifully. Season well and finish with a bit of crumbled crowdie. 
  • Quick Grill Cleaner – Rub a hot grill with half an onion on a fork. It’s simple and does the job. 
  • Sauce Late – If you’re using a sweet glaze or BBQ sauce, brush it on near the end to avoid burning. 
  • Dessert on the Grill – Try halved peaches or apples in foil with brown sugar and a splash of whisky. 

That’s not all though: Scotland’s national chef has also served up four delicious Scottish barbecue recipe ideas that are sure to impress: 

Scottish twists on barbecue classics 

Haggis-Stuffed Peppers 

Fill peppers with traditional or veggie haggis and grill until charred and smoky. 

Whisky-Glazed Venison Burgers

Swap beef for venison and brush with a whisky and honey glaze. Serve with pickled onions on a soft roll. 

Aberdeen Angus Brisket with Irn-Bru Glaze

Slow-cook brisket with a smoky rub, then glaze with reduced Irn-Bru for a sweet finish. 

Seaweed Butter Corn 

Grill corn and brush with butter mixed with dried seaweed or samphire. Salty, savoury, and very moreish. 

Dan McNally, Head of Grassroots at Mary’s Meals, says: “It costs just 10p to provide one school meal to a hungry child with Mary’s Meals.

“With a £5 donation at your next barbecue, we can reach 50 children with a nutritious meal. 

“If you purchase a cooking apron from our online shop ahead of hosting your own summer barbecue, your £15 donation will feed 150 children in school. With the sun out and with Gary’s top tips, there’s never been a better time to get grilling, all while supporting Mary’s Meals!” 

By making a donation to Mary’s Meals, supporters can help children like 11-year-old Melanie from Madagascar enjoy a nutritious meal at school today and work towards a brighter tomorrow. 

She says: “Thank you, Mary’s Meals. We are always full at school and that motivates us to work hard. I study because I want to achieve my goals and help my parents when I succeed.” 

To find out more about Mary’s Meals, and to donate, please visit marysmeals.org.uk 

During Mega Match May, your generosity will go three times as far – meaning you can feed even more hungry children with Mary’s Meals. Until 31 May, if you set up a regular gift to Mary’s Meals, your first three donations will be tripled by a generous donor. Visit marysmeals.org.uk/mega-match-may and start your monthly donation today. 

Three generations of Scottish family knit 6,500 chocolate ‘hats’ to raise over £35,000 for Mary’s Meals

The Young family have also knitted scarves which if tied together would be taller than the Eiffel Tower – all for charity

Three generations of a Midlothian family have raised over £35,000 for charity by knitting 6,500 chocolate ‘hats’. 

And as Easter approaches, the Young family are spreading joy once more by knitting their charming chocolate egg covers to raise funds for international school feeding charity Mary’s Meals. 

Colin, 67, and Jackie, 64, from Dalkeith in Midlothian, first discovered Mary’s Meals 12 years ago while watching a television programme featuring the charity’s work in Malawi. Moved by the charity’s impact – providing meals to hungry children to encourage school attendance – the couple felt inspired to take action. 

Colin recalls: “We were inspired by the transformative power of providing food in schools and how such a simple act can lead to a better life for children.  

“Seeing the scale of hunger and poverty was daunting, but we found encouragement in Mother Teresa’s words: ‘If you can’t feed a hundred people, then just feed one.’ So, we set out to do just that.” 

Mary’s Meals, founded in a shed in the Scottish Highlands, provides daily school meals to more than 2.6 million children across 16 of the world’s poorest countries, including Haiti, Malawi and South Sudan. The charity’s feeding programme ensures that a nutritious meal attracts children into the classroom, where education becomes the key to a brighter future. 

Jackie’s knitting journey began when someone offered to pay for a scarf she made as a Christmas present. Instead of accepting payment, she donated the money to Mary’s Meals. That simple act of kindness has since blossomed into an ongoing project, producing more than 410 scarves, 35 baby blankets and an astonishing 6,500 ‘hats’ for chocolates. 

Having raised more than £35,000 for Mary’s Meals over the past decade, the couple estimates that if all the scarves Jackie has knitted were joined together, they would stretch from the top of the Eiffel Tower down to the ground. 

Fundraising for Mary’s Meals has become a true family effort. Their granddaughter, Lucy, now 16 years old, started helping at just eight years old. Initially assisting with table sales, she now creates crochet animals to sell alongside her grandparents’ knits, raising an impressive £1,000 to date. 

Colin and Jackie’s daughter, Laura, 41, has also joined the cause, contributing new, creative ideas and making paper-based crafts that have generated around £1,200 for the charity. 

This year, the family hopes to raise £3,000, largely through their Easter and Christmas projects, with support from Beeslack Community High School in Penicuik, Midlothian. Their continued dedication is a testament to how small, heartfelt actions can make a significant impact. 

Sally Davidson, Supporter Engagement Officer for East Scotland​ at Mary’s Meals, says: “Colin and Jackie’s dedication is truly inspiring. Their creativity and generosity demonstrate the power of small acts of kindness in transforming lives. Every stitch they knit helps provide nutritious meals for children who might otherwise go hungry.  

“We are incredibly grateful for their support and for the way they’ve brought their whole community together to help Mary’s Meals feed the next child waiting for a nutritious daily meal in a place of education.” 

For those feeling inspired by Colin and Jackie’s efforts, there are many ways to get involved. Whether it’s knitting, baking, hosting a fundraiser, or simply spreading the word, every action – no matter the size – can make a big difference.  

Visit Mary’s Meals website for more ideas on how to help feed hungry children and find out how Mary’s Meals is providing More Than A Meal for some of the world’s poorest communities.  

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