No child should go hungry

Sir,

We find ourselves writing this in uncertain times.

The past two weeks have seen all of us having to change our lifestyles dramatically and come

together as one. Thankfully, the people working hard to keep producing and delivering the food we need have come to the fore and there is more than enough food for us all, as long as we are careful with our buying choices.

However, for 4.1m UK children living in poverty this is not the case and their reality is that they go hungry every day they are not at school. This malnourishment risks long-term physical and mental health difficulties, including poor growth, diabetes, mood swings and lowered immune systems.

Not to mention reduced learning capabilities simply because of being hungry.

Fifteen per cent of UK children are considered vulnerable to food poverty and schools work hard to ensure they get at least one good meal a day during term time with the free school meals programme.

Around the country, Oasis UK’s PLATE UP campaign helps the most vulnerable children get nourishing healthy meals when schools are closed and learn valuable cooking skills to support their families in future.

These children need us all more than ever and there is a way to help. As supporters of PLATE UP, we are urging readers to stand with us and donate £5 to help feed two hungry children during these difficult times by texting PLATEUP to 70085.

If your readers are fortunate enough to be able to help, their donation will make a big difference to children who desperately need it.

Please join us in fighting to end food poverty. Find out more by visiting plateup.org. Nadiya Hussain and Rosemary Shrager.