HOLIDAY HUNGER APPEAL Who am I? My name is Kimberley Wilson. I am a nutrition-trained chartered psychologist and I specialise in the links between food, nutrition and brain health. Why am I fundraising? Recent headlines have shown that children in Britain are getting left behind, the cost of living is going up and vulnerable families are struggling to put food on the table. In the absence of government policy change that would protect these families, it is unfortunately left to us, the general public, to support those in need. As the summer holidays approach, I am leading this fundraiser on behalf of Feeding Britain to support their Healthy Holidays programmes,where they provide both nutritious meals and enriching activities for vulnerable children who would otherwise go without. £5 can feed a child for a day during the school holidays. £10 can help to provide a whole day of meals and activities for a child during school holidays. Why this matters? The brain is the hungriest organ in the body. Throughout life, it has a high need for energy and nutrients (vitamins, minerals and protein). Children’s brains are still developing so it is even more important that their precious brains are supplied with the energy and nutrients that are the essential building blocks required for growth, learning and development. Hunger and nutritional deficiencies in childhood can impair both the structure and function of the brain and are known risk factors for poor mental health later in life. Stories are emerging of hungry children eating erasers or hiding in toilets to avoid the embarrassment of their empty lunchboxes. As well as the physical harms of hunger, these experiences are an assault on a child’s dignity and emerging self-esteem. They may induce a sense of shame that can be difficult to shake off. For children in receipt of free school meals things often get tougher during the school holidays. For many of these children, the school meal is the only hot or substantial meal they will have each day. Without this provision during the school holidays their growth, development and wellbeing suffers. According to Feeding Britain, 35% of parents/guardians with a 5-11 year-old report that they felt unable to afford to eat balanced meals at least once a month. 29% of parents/guardians with a 12-16 year-old report they or someone in their household skipped meals at least once a month because there wasn't enough money for food. The impact hunger is having on families is immense. Help today Together we can support the most vulnerable members of our society. Let's show the nation’s children that we care. Thank you.
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