Daily Express readers have begun the year with “incredible generosity” with donations to our appeal for a UK charity rocketing by several thousand pounds last week.
Donors have helped raise nearly £26,000 for Mary’s Meals, a significant leap from the £21,000 figure we published on Thursday.
The funds raised are being doubled meaning we have raised nearly £52,000 – enough to feed more than 2,700 children every school day for one year.
Jessica Faulkner, head of media at Mary’s Meal, said: “Express readers have kicked off the new year with incredible generosity – we are delighted that £25,700 has now been raised by our Christmas appeal. These funds will go a long way to changing the lives and futures of thousands of hungry children around the world who, because of your kindness, will now receive a nutritious meal every school day. Thank you!”
This exceeds the Christmas appeal target of £25,000 set for the organisation that feeds more than 2.4 million children across 18 countries daily.
The Express highlighted dozens of children’s experiences of hunger in rural Zambia where financial struggles, climate change and social issues put strains on families.
But the paper has also highlighted stories of hope and the impact that a warm cup of fortified porridge has made to hundreds of children’s lives.
Magnus MacFarlane-Barrow, founder of Mary’s Meals, said: “Over the last several weeks while The Daily Express has been sharing stories from children and communities in the Mary’s Meals school feeding programme, it’s been a genuine source of joy to see readers respond with such compassion and generosity.”
“We saw donations pour in as people – with kindness in their hearts – chose to give some of what they have to help others in need.”
“We appreciate every one of these donations. And I know that some of those gifts involved sacrifice, because the cost-of-living crisis here in the UK has made the last couple of years a real struggle for many people. And so, I thank each of you who found a way to reach out to others while times are hard.”
Donations to Mary’s Meals will be doubled until January 22.
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To give online, please visit https://www.marysmeals.org.uk/
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For Freepost, please make cheques payable to Mary’s Meals and send to: Express Christmas Appeal, Freepost, MARY’S MEALS
