You have given more than £12,000 towards our Christmas appeal this year – a sum that has been doubled by a group of generous donors.
The UK charity Mary’s Meals provides a cup of fortified porridge to pupils in 17 countries.
It has boosted attendance and slashed drop-out rates.
Jessica Faulkner, head of media at Mary’s Meals, said: “We are so thankful to the generous Express readers who have donated to our Christmas appeal so far.
“Your support for these hungry little ones means they can access an education which can be their ladder out of poverty. And this is a perfect time to donate.”
Mary’s Meals feeds 420,896 children across 752 schools in Zambia every day. It costs just 10p on average to provide a child with a meal – which means £19.15 can feed a child for a school year.
Mazuba Mwiinga – head of strategic partnerships and communications for Mary’s Meals in Zambia, said: “The donations this Christmas will do a lot of good for our school feeding programme because it will help mitigate some of the challenges that we’re having now because of price rises, which have stretched our budgets.
“It will also help us reach learners who are waiting for this kind of service.
“They really need this help and the moment we get your support, we will be very glad.”
An army of inspired and inspiring British children have rallied to help fundraise for the charity.
Mikey Williams, eight, from Barrhead in Scotland, is raising money again after he collected £1,000 last year by walking more than six miles.
He said: “I really enjoyed doing it the first time and this helped to inspire me to do it again this year.”
● To donate to Mary’s Meals, please visit www.marysmeals.org.uk/express
