Actors Russell Tovey and Larry Lamb as well as TV chefs Nadiya Hussain and Shivi Ramoutar are all supporting the Great Big Breakfast. Registration is free although there is a suggested £3 donation and everyone who registers will receive an emailed info pack.
Sign up to take part in the Great Big Breakfast
People taking part need to invite friends, family or even work colleagues to unite for a special breakfast at any point from 17-30th April and ask them for a minimum £3 donation to attend. This can provide a child with a nutritious breakfast for two weeks.
Great British Bake Off winner and mum-of-three Nadiya said: “As a busy working mum, breakfast times can be quite chaotic in our house, but it is such an important meal as it sets us all up for the day. The thought of so many children arriving to school hungry is really upsetting, which is why I’m getting behind Magic Breakfast’s Great Big Breakfast event this April.
“Please get involved if you can and host a special breakfast party for friends, family workmates or bring your community together and invite your neighbours. For a small donation of £3 each they can feed a child a healthy, nutritious breakfast for two school weeks. How incredible is that.”
A recent report by the Food Foundation revealed food insecurity is rising at an ‘alarming speed’ with 4 million children in this country now at risk of arriving at school hungry each morning, increasing from 2.6 million in April 2022.
In 2022, Magic Breakfast’s own research has shown that 94% of partner schools believe that poverty has increased in their school community in the past year. The research also found that 81% believe that child hunger has increased, with almost all schools saying the cost of living crisis is the main driver behind these worrying figures.
Lindsey MacDonald, chief executive of Magic Breakfast, commented: “We are deeply concerned to see such a rapid increase in the number of families living with food insecurity. A Magic Breakfast makes a significant difference to many children, young people, and their families, but we need your help.
"I'm looking forward to seeing lots of people up and down the country gather with their friends, family, and work colleagues to enjoy a fun breakfast and help us in our fight to end morning hunger as a barrier to learning.”
In addition to tackling hunger, the charity believes that children and young people who benefit from a Magic Breakfast improve their levels of attendance, behaviour and attainment.