As Volunteers’ Week approaches, Mary’s Meals is recruiting ‘Hope Givers’ in North West England – compassionate individuals, groups of friends, or families who want to help change the lives of children living in some of the world’s poorest communities.

Mary’s Meals started in a tin shed in the Scottish Highland village of Dalmally in 2002, after Founder Magnus MacFarlane-Barrow met a 14-year-old boy called Edward, in Malawi. Edward was the eldest of six children, all sitting with their mother who was dying of AIDS.

Magnus asked him what he hoped for in life and Edward replied:

“I would like to have enough food to eat and to be able to go to school one day.”

This interaction sparked the foundation of Mary’s Meals – today the charity provides nutritious school meals to more than 2.6 million children every day across 16 countries, including Malawi, Haiti, India, and Syria. The promise of a good meal attracts these hungry children into the classroom, giving them the energy to learn and hope for a brighter future.

The charity’s low-cost approach means it costs just £19.15 to feed a child every school day for a year. This is only possible because of the thousands of volunteers who give their time, energy, and creativity to support the mission. From community cooks overseas to those who raise funds and awareness in the UK, each act of kindness helps build a world where every child has enough to eat and access to education.

This Volunteers’ Week (Monday, 2 June – Sunday, 8 June), Mary’s Meals is celebrating the incredible impact of its volunteers and inviting more people to join its family.

Among those already sharing Mary’s Meals’ story of hope is volunteer Tricia, from the Midlands, and her grandson, William.

Tricia was first inspired by Mary’s Meals after attending a talk by long-standing volunteer Roger Neuberg. Soon after, 10-year-old William received a Mary’s Meals money box from Roger and watched the charity’s powerful film, Child 31. Learning that £19.15 could feed a child for a whole school year.

William said:

“I already have £20 from my birthday – I want to save a child’s life.”

At just eight years old, William bravely stood in front of 400 fellow pupils at his school assembly to share the story of Mary’s Meals.

Tricia says:

“His empathy and enthusiasm are awe-inspiring. His commitment encouraged me to become a volunteer too.”

Since then, the pair have raised a remarkable £2,695 by giving talks and presentations together. Tricia explains:

“If any talks fall during school holidays, William will come with me. His story lightens the presentation and inspires my audience. I couldn’t be more proud of his understanding and his desire to make a difference.”

William adds:

“There are millions of starving children in the world, and if we each filled a box, we are all helping to save a child’s life. Mary’s Meals is the very best charity I’ve seen – it’s feeding over two and a half million children every day!”

You can follow in Tricia and William’s footsteps and join Mary’s Meals’ growing family by signing up to become a volunteer. There are a number of ways you can support the charity, from becoming a speaker and sharing our story in your local community, helping to organise a fundraising event, to providing our teams with general admin support.

Jane Wright, Mary’s Meals Supporter Engagement Officer for East Midlands and East England, says:

“We are so thankful to inspirational volunteers like Tricia and William across the UK who are the beating heart of Mary’s Meals. Every little act of love you give as a volunteer helps us reach more hungry children with a daily meal in school. We understand everybody has busy lives, but by donating even just one hour of your time, whenever suits you best around your other commitments, you can be part of something truly life-changing – for the children we strive to reach, and for you.”

Become a Hope Giver today and help Mary’s Meals feed the future – one meal at a time. Visit marysmeals.org.uk to get started.