Mayor Backs Big Breakfast Campaign
Bristol Mayor, Marvin Rees, today visited Fair Furlong Primary School’s breakfast club to highlight the city-wide issue of child hunger and to show his support for FareShare South West’s #BigBreakfast campaign, which launched officially yesterday (Monday 12th).
(L to R) Cllr Paul Goggin; FareShare South West’s Community Fundraiser & Communications Manager Phoebe Ruxton; FareShare South West’s CFM Account Manager, Zoe Williams; From The Pony & Trap Michelin starred chef, Josh Eggleton; Bristol Mayor Marvin Rees; Bristol foodie Natalie Brereton; Fair Furlong Headteacher, Lucy Lang; Cllr Mark Brain; FareShare South West Trustee Charlie Ackland;
(front line L to R) Kaiden Bateman (age 9); Mikie George (age 10); Payton McGill (age10)
Marvin Rees not only joined the south Bristol school children for breakfast this morning but also got hands on in the preparation process as he, Bristol based Michelin Starred chef, Josh Eggleton and famous Bristol foodie, Natalie Brereton, made breakfast smoothies with the children.
Fair Furlong Primary based in Withywood, is one of twenty schools who run a breakfast club, supplying children living in poverty with a healthy and filling breakfast, thanks to Bristol based food charity, FareShare South West. As the largest food redistribution charity in the UK, FareShare work to prevent food poverty as well as food waste and FareShare South West has distributed an incredible 14.5 tonnes of food to schools since the start of 2018.
Bristol Mayor, Marvin Rees, says: “Eating a nutritious breakfast is something that many of us take for granted and yet many children are still going to school hungry. In Bristol there are around 16,500 children living in poverty so it’s essential that we raise the profile of this issue and champion the organisations and individuals who are providing solutions. There are many partners joining together to tackle this and it’s only by working collectively that we can address the deep-rooted problems that lead to child hunger.”
Fair Furlong Primary School’s Headteacher, Lucy Lang, says: “It is vitally important that children begin the day ready to learn and a good breakfast contributes to setting them up ready for their busy day. Our well-attended and free breakfast club ensures that all of our children have the opportunity to enjoy a social breakfast and also provides our families with support to go to work. Having the Mayor here today, as well as a top chef, has been really exciting for the children and they really enjoyed their smoothies! We are committed to our breakfast club provision and this is made easier because of the work of FareShare South West and we really hope this can continue into the future.”
FareShare South West’s CEO, Julian Mines, says: “Child hunger is truly a city-wide problem, and we’re grateful that Marvin Rees recognises that and is here today to support our #BigBreakfast campaign. Our charity’s aim is to get as much food as we can into the networks that matter, from Breakfast Clubs to children’s centres, to ensure no child goes hungry. With support, we can really change the picture on food poverty.”
The Big Breakfast week campaign continues until Friday 16th November. Use the hashtag #BigBreakfast, follow the activities on Twitter @FareShareSW or to donate visit: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/bigbreakfast
Watch the video of the morning and interview with Marvin here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N3vCzmBc3F4
