Tag: Street Child charity

Paralympian and TV presenter Ade Adepitan MBE joins schoolchildren to protest against UK aid cuts

British schoolchildren took their fight for global education funding straight to Westminster yesterday, as part of a powerful protest against government cuts to overseas aid. 

Backed by TV presenter, Paralympian, and Street Child charity Ambassador Ade Adepitan MBE, students from the Send My Friend to School coalition urged policymakers to reverse the decline in education aid and prioritise investment in learning worldwide.

The demonstration came as the UK Government confirmed a further reduction in the Official Development Assistance (ODA) budget, slashing it from 0.5% to 0.3% of Gross National Income. 

With education already one of the most underfunded areas in global development, campaigners fear the cuts will leave millions more children without access to schooling.

Speaking at the event, Ade Adepitan reflected on the life-changing impact of education. “The only reason I’m where I am today is because of two reasons: luck and education,” he said.

“Lucky enough that my parents were brave enough to leave our home in Nigeria, give up everything for a better life, but also because of education. I was able to access a strong education in London that changed my life.”

Students leading the campaign made an impassioned case for urgent action, warning that education is the key to breaking the cycle of poverty.

“Education is not just about learning subjects like maths or science,” said student activist Ewura. “It’s about giving young people the tools to build a better future. When children are educated, they can help change the world.”

Echoing the call, fellow campaigner Davi urged the UK to step up its leadership on the issue: “That’s why campaigns like Send My Friend to School are so important,” he said. “They remind leaders that education should be a top priority. And as young people, we have a voice too.

“We can speak up, raise awareness, and encourage real action.”

The protest highlighted the sharp decline in UK aid for education over the past decade. In 2013, education accounted for 13.5% of bilateral ODA spending, but by 2023, this had plummeted to just 3.5%. 

While the UK remains the sixth-largest donor by volume, it now ranks 25th among OECD-DAC countries in prioritisation, falling far behind its international counterparts.

The Send My Friend to School coalition is demanding urgent action from the UK Government, calling for:

• A commitment to protect and reprioritise education aid within ODA spending.

• Full funding for key global education initiatives, including the Global Partnership for Education and Education Cannot Wait.

• Stronger UK support for international tax and debt reforms to help low-income countries sustainably increase their own education budgets.

While aid remains crucial, 87% of education financing in low-income countries comes from domestic sources. 

Campaigners argued that the UK has a vital role in ensuring governments have the resources to invest in quality education for all.

The event was part of a wider movement, with Send My Friend to School mobilising 250,000 UK students every year to push for global education rights. 

As the UK reassesses its international development priorities, campaigners are urging leaders to reaffirm their commitment to ensuring that education remains central to the country’s foreign aid agenda.

Chris Kamara launches new campaign to get children around the world back into education

Street Child charity launches ‘Back to School’ campaign to give every child that ‘first day’ feeling

TV football presenter and Sky Sports legend Chris Kamara has today launched a new campaign to get children around the world back into education.

Former Brentford and Leeds United footballer Chris is an ambassador of Street Child, the international education charity dedicated to changing the lives of the world’s most marginalised children.

Street Child’s ‘Back to School’ campaign, which launches today (August 22), just before most UK children return to classrooms, will support thousands of young people in sub-Saharan Africa, Asia, the Middle East and elsewhere access education – many for the first time.

Over the last 15 years, Street Child has helped more than a million children get into school, and currently works in more than 25 countries around the world. But according to estimates, there are still more than 60 million primary school-aged children worldwide not currently in school.

For the equivalent of £1 a week, donors can support a child’s education for a whole year, and for every person who sets up a regular gift before the end of September, the charity will pledge to get one child back into school this term.

Chris Kamara said: “There was nothing like the buzz of the first day back at school – catching up with mates after the summer holidays, getting back on the football pitch, and making new friends.

“But not all children are so lucky. Street Child does so much for kids across the world, making sure they get to learn in safe, fun environments when otherwise they would never get the chance.”

As part of the ‘Back to School’ campaign, Street Child has also launched the ‘Big School Walk’, with the hopes of seeing hundreds of parents, pupils and teachers across the UK clad in orange – Street Child’s colour – walking to school to raise vital funds this September.

Public donations will help to directly fund children’s education in countries across sub-Saharan Africa, Asia, the Middle East and Europe:

• £12 could support an emergency-affected student returning to school in Somalia with school materials to last them a term 

• £33 could provide a child in Liberia with an education support package, including a school bag, new uniform, exercise books and new pens 

• £250 could provide a family with a business grant that enables them to afford the costs of sending two children back to school 

And regular gifts can buy: 

• £4 per month could support one child’s education for a whole year 

• £12 per month could support three children’s education for a whole year 

• £20 per month could support five children’s education for a whole year

Street Child CEO and Founder, Tom Dannatt said: “As a dad, I know the joy of seeing my children prepare for their first day back at school – that mix of nerves and excitement but most of all, the thrill of possibility. Right now, more than 60 million primary-aged children around the world aren’t able to experience that feeling.

“That’s where Street Child comes in. We are experts in connecting children to education in the most disaster-hit and lowest-income countries around the world, such as Cameroon and Afghanistan.

“Education is the key to breaking the cycle of poverty – for every year spent in school, a child’s life chances improve enormously, and so do the lives of future generations. For just £1 a week, we can get a child into school this year, and quickly on their way to a better future.”

Other famous faces backing Street Child’s campaign are former Apprentice and Countdown star Nick Hewer and TV presenter Ade Adepitan.

Speaking in support of the ‘Back to School’ campaign, Nick Hewer said: “Education is opportunity. Not only is it the key to unlocking a child’s full potential, but people’s ability to read, write and build relationships supports local economies, lifts communities out of poverty, and will benefit generations to come.

“The first day of school is all about the excitement of unlimited possibility – for £1 a week, Street Child can help children in the world’s poorest countries experience that joy. I’ve seen first-hand the impact of Street Child’s work and encourage everyone to support them this back-to-school season.”

Ade Adepitan added: “I had a great education, which taught me from an early age that I could achieve anything I put my mind to – whether it was in sport, TV or journalism.

“It’s so important that every child, no matter their circumstance, can access education. Having travelled the world, I have met countless children who have never been to school. By supporting Street Child, you will help more children reach their true potential.”

For more information about Street Child and the ‘Back to School’ campaign, visit:

 street-child.org