FREE breakfasts and lunches have been handed out to children in the city in a bid to prevent them going hungry during the school holidays.

Families in need have been going to the Ronkswood Community Hub for free meals, provided by the Worcester Community Trust.

Lisa Craven, organiser, said: “We have had a lot of interest, which is great, we understand that people are experiencing hardship right now and it’s nice to be able to do something to help the community.

“We have received tons of support from local supermarkets, the foodbank, the church and local donors, it really helps. I hope to start a pantry here at the community centre to further support people in need.”

A report released in 2017, by the All Party Parliamentary Group on Hunger, estimates three million children across the UK are at risk of being hungry throughout the holidays.

Schoolchildren aged seven and under currently qualify for free school meals. Campaigners say that the loss of these meals can add between £30 and £40 per week to a family’s bills.

The project was started by local councillors for the Ronkswood ward, Tracey Biggs and Pat Agar who wanted to make sure no child would go hungry during the holidays.

Cllr Biggs said the holidays put a lot of families “under financial pressure” but admitted the work at the Hub is “just a starting point”. “We started this project because in 2019 no child or family should be going hungry. School holidays put a lot of families under financial pressure. We want to ensure all children have access to healthy food.”

“The fabulous work at Ronkswood Hub is just a starting point, we aim for holiday hunger in Worcester to be completely eliminated.”

Meals will be served at the Ronkswood Community centre, Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays, breakfast at 9:30am – 11am and lunch 1pm – 2:30pm. Call Lisa Craven on 07493408034 for more.