Latest news with #Mary'sMeals
Herald Malaysia
08-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Herald Malaysia
Young people for young people: Mary's Meals brings hope to the Jubilee
The streets of Rome are once again filled with the sound of pilgrims during this Jubilee of Youth. While that might not be surprising given the Jubilee, this time, the energy is different: the songs are faster and the footsteps lighter. Aug 08, 2025 By Francesca Merlo The streets of Rome are once again filled with the sound of pilgrims during this Jubilee of Youth. While that might not be surprising given the Jubilee, this time, the energy is different: the songs are faster and the footsteps lighter. For what was recently described as 'perhaps the most anticipated event of the year,' by Archbishop Rino Fisichella, the Eternal City is welcoming over one million young people from all over the world. Among the many bringing their message of hope are those representing Mary's Meals, the global school feeding charity that embodies the very equation it loves to proclaim: Food + School = Hope. A presence of purpose Mary's Meals took to squares throughout Rome during the week of celebrations — a place already close to the hearts of many people since it hosted World Youth Day in the Jubilee year 2000. Different areas of Rome came alive with talks, dances, concerts, and more. Mary's Meals hosted a 'Concert for Hope', welcoming renowned Catholic artists such as Fr Rob Galea from Australia, Polish multi-instrumentalist AnMari, and Italian singer Dajana – offering their voices in support of the organisation and promoting the message of hope. But even more powerful were the voices of Mary's Meals' Youth Ambassadors — young people from across the world who have made it their mission to do everything they can to bring dignity to some of the world's most vulnerable children. But this mission spans far beyond Europe. Evance Mozeka is team lead for Mary's Meals Youth Ambassadors in Malawi, where Mary's Meals operates. There, Evance tells Vatican News, the Youth Ambassador programme is divided into local youth ambassadors and those from private high schools. Together, they work to raise awareness about Mary's Meals through school clubs, social media, and public engagement. 'We support the Malawian office for communications and raise awareness for Mary's Meals,' Evance explains, describing activities such as festive season drives, farmers markets, and university outreach events. 'We've managed to raise some funds and also share the message with learners, parents, and young children who didn't know about Mary's Meals.' For Evance and his team, being ambassadors isn't about a title - it's about action. From selling books and t-shirts to organising events in their communities, they prove that awareness and change start at home, even in the very countries that benefit from Mary's Meals' support. Hope does not disappoint Operating behind the scenes, Mary's Meals delivers life-supporting food and dignity to those who need it most. It reminds the world that hunger is not inevitable, that education is a right, and that no child should have to merely survive. Speaking to Vatican News, Paloma García Ovejero, International Media Manager for Mary's Meals, says the Jubilee is a dream come true for the charity. 'Hope is part of our identity,' she explains. 'We feed almost three million children every school day. But there are 67 million children who are still waiting. It costs just €22 per year to feed one child. That means everyone - every person — can help.' García Ovejero reflects on the reality that many young people today are growing up in a world of displacement, climate catastrophe, and human-made conflict. 'It is often young people who feel most hopeless. But at Mary's Meals, we see them become actors of hope - doing small things in small places that change lives.' One of these people is a young woman called Lette. In Malawi, she once relied on Mary's Meals to survive. An orphan caring for her younger brothers, Lette had no food, no home, and – she believed - no future. Today, she is a young journalist working for Mary's Meals. 'She's my colleague!' says García Ovejero, and she's dedicated to giving back to the very programme that helped her survive. Youth Ambassadors as voices of compassion Two of the youth ambassadors who represented Mary's Meals in Rome are Chiara from Italy and Christine from Austria. Both began their journeys organising concerts, sports events, and fundraising campaigns to support the charity. Through their initiatives, entire classes have been 'adopted' and hundreds of children fed – all through what Chiara calls 'small gestures with a big impact.' Evance brings that same spirit from Malawi, highlighting the power of youth-led advocacy: 'We work as a team,' he says, describing the way their different ambassador groups support each other's events and outreach efforts. 'We are willing to share more,' Evance adds, a reminding us that in order for hope to grow, it must be shared. Pilgrims of hope In Rome, as Mary's Meals has shown, the young people who have gathered truly are pilgrims of hope. Many will have made great sacrifices to be here, others may be representing numerous more who could not make the journey. Some may have gone through or may be going through difficult times. The Jubilee of Youth is an opportunity to prove that hope is available to all, and that all deserve it. 'We are a charity rooted in hope,' says García Ovejero. 'And this Jubilee is all about hope. Not just spiritual hope, but the kind that fills your stomach, that gives you the energy to go to school, to laugh, to study, to imagine a future.' Hope is not a distant or abstract concept. It looks like a bowl of porridge in Malawi. It looks like a classroom full of children in Haiti. And it looks like young volunteers here in Rome — teenagers, students, musicians — choosing to use their time and talents to feed children they may never meet. García Ovejero speaks of the places where Mary's Meals operates — places like South Sudan, Syria, and Yemen. 'Sometimes people say to us, 'how can you talk about hope in these places?' And I say, because we see it. Every day, we see it. In the children who come back to school. In the mothers who smile because their children ate today. In the young people who refuse to believe that hunger is just part of life.' She adds, 'This Jubilee gives us a chance to tell those stories, and to say to the world: you don't need to be a millionaire, or a politician to change a life. You just need to believe that love, expressed through little acts, works.' And this Jubilee of Youth reminds us that hope is everyone's destiny, it is spread and shared --Vatican News
Daily Record
16-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Andy Murray ditches granny's shortbread to become brand ambassador for rival
The Scots tennis icon has been announced as the first-ever brand ambassador for Walker's Shortbread - despite his gran being famous for her own sweet treats Sir Andy Murray could be in a spot of bother with his own granny – after he was named as brand ambassador for a shortbread firm, despite her own famous version of the biscuits. The Dunblane tennis icon has been announced as the first-ever brand ambassador for Walker's Shortbread. But the Wimbledon champ's own gran, Shirley Erskine, has often hit the headlines herself with her legendary shortbread. Her recipe has even featured in a special's Mother's Day recipe book created in support of Scottish charity Mary's Meals. The sweet treat was also a big hit with fellow contestants, pro dancers and judges when Shirley's daughter – Andy's mum Judy Murray – took part in 'Strictly Come Dancing'. Shirley even took along a tin when invited on to Mrs Brown's Saturday night chat show and made a tin which went all the way to Wimbledon in exchange for a £100 donation to the local Dunblane Centre. Shirley has even been known to serve up a baking masterclass to local schoolchildren to teach them how to make the traditional Scottish biscuit. Announcing the new partnership, Walker's Shortbread said the former Olympic champ had penned a multi-year partnership with the Moray-based firm. On the deal, Andy said: 'I'm proudly Scottish, and partnering with Walker's, a brand that has been representing Scotland around the world for well over a century, felt like a great fit for me. 'I come from a small tight-knit community and when I look back at where I have come from, I am proud of what I've achieved, which is something I share with Walker's. 'It's a real honour to be part of this next chapter for such a well-loved Scottish brand.' With 46 tour titles under his belt and three Grand Slam victories – the two-time Olympic Gold Medal winner, and self-proclaimed shortbread superfan, added: 'I've been eating shortbread since I was a kid – my gran would make it all the time for us. We even celebrated my Wimbledon win with shortbread. 'Shortbread is one of my simple pleasures. No matter where I am in the world, a piece of Walker's Shortbread always transports me back home.' The partnership also pays homage to Walker's own history with tennis. Winne Walker, mother of the late Joe, Marjorie and Sir Jim Walker, was a passionate tennis enthusiast who played a pivotal role in the local tennis community. Inspired by her love for the sport, which began during her university years, Winnie was instrumental in establishing the first tennis courts at Aberlour Tennis Club. Nicky Walker, Managing Director, Walker's Shortbread: 'We are incredibly excited to welcome Andy Murray as our very first brand ambassador. We've always admired Andy's achievements, his dedication and his cautious charisma as well as his very obvious close relationship with his own family. These are qualities that resonate deeply with our own values at Walker's Shortbread. We are genuinely honoured that Andy and his team have acknowledged Walker's as a suitable partner, and we are looking forward to this exciting new venture as we continue to promote 'Scotland at its Finest'.' The deal will see Andy featured in the firm's latest advertising campaign – where his image will appear at train stations across the UK.
Glasgow Times
12-06-2025
- General
- Glasgow Times
Mary's Meals want Glaswegians to join a fundraising walk
Mary's Meals, a school feeding charity, is inviting Glaswegians to participate in the "Light Up the Longest Day" sponsored walk on June 21. Held on the official longest day of the year, this date will see up to 19 hours of daylight in parts of the UK, providing a great opportunity to embark on a long walk. Read more: 'We never knew when she'd have a seizure': Mum on raising child with rare condition Mary's Meals, established in 2002 in the Highland village of Dalmally, feeds more than 2.6 million children daily in 16 countries, including Malawi, Haiti, India, and Syria. The charity attracts children into classrooms with the promise of a nutritious meal, giving them the energy to learn and hope for a brighter future. It utilises a low-cost approach, with just £19.15 to feed a child every school day for a year. To help the charity with its mission, supporters are being invited to set up a fundraiser or simply ask for donations. Mary's Meals is encouraging people to share their sunrise and sunset pictures from their summer walks on social media, tagging @marysmealsukcharity, and using the hashtag #LightUpTheLongestDay to raise awareness of the charity's work. Daryl Watson, from Dunfermline, recently raised £5,000 for Mary's Meals by hiking the West Highland Way with 16 friends. Daryl said: "It's been a lifelong dream to walk the West Highland Way, all 96 miles of it. "The views were simply spectacular, we all had some fun and games along the way, and – despite the Scottish weather and midges – we've had an absolute blast. "It's been a really good opportunity to raise some money for Mary's Meals too. "If you choose to go out for a sponsored walk on June 21, or whenever you want to put on your walking boots, you can transform your steps into paths of hope and help provide meals that can change lives." Daryl's West Highland Way fundraiser is still available to donate to at Read more: Hospital reaches 'important milestone' with University of Glasgow George Morehead, Mary's Meals supporter engagement officer for Greater Glasgow, said: "We are surrounded by stunning scenery across the country and the longest day of the year is the perfect time to make the most of it. "But you don't have to scale a mountain or take on the West Highland Way to make a difference. "It costs just 10p to feed a child with Mary's Meals, so even a sponsored walk around the block with your neighbours can make a massive difference and bring food, education and hope to a child waiting for a nutritious meal in school." To find out more about how you can "light up the longest day" on June 21 and set up a Move For Meals fundraiser, visit the Mary's Meals website.
Daily Record
12-06-2025
- General
- Daily Record
Ayrshire residents encouraged to raise funds for Mary's Meals with sponsored walk on year's longest day
Mary's Meals helps feed more than 2.6 million children every day. School feeding charity Mary's Meals is calling on people in Ayrshire to light up the longest day of the year with hope by taking on a sponsored walk. On June 21, parts of the UK will see as much as 19 hours of sunlight, making it the perfect opportunity to pull on your hiking boots and help feed hungry children. Mary's Meals 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. By stepping into the sunshine, with friends, family, colleagues, or on your own, supporters can turn their moves into meals to change a child's life. Simply set up a fundraiser or ask for donations and any money raised will help to transform the lives of children living in some of the world's poorest communities. Mary's Meals is also encouraging people to join fellow supporters by sharing their sunrise and sunset snaps from their summer walks on social media, tagging @marysmealsukcharity and using the hashtag #LightUpTheLongestDay to raise awareness of the charity's work. George Morehead, Mary's Meals Supporter Engagement Officer for Greater Glasgow, says: 'We are surrounded by stunning scenery across the country and the longest day of the year is the perfect time to make the most of it. 'But you don't have to scale a mountain or take on the West Highland Way to make a difference. It costs just 10p to feed a child with Mary's Meals, so even a sponsored walk around the block with your neighbours can make a massive difference and bring food, education and hope to a child waiting for a nutritious meal in school.'
Glasgow Times
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
Milngavie Week brings quiz, line dancing and more to town
The East Dunbartonshire Leisure and Culture Trust (EDLCT) has organised a number of activities, which started on June 7, many of which are free to attend. For more details and booking information, go to An inspirational talk on walking and willpower by Geraldine McFaul will be held on June 12 between 6pm and 7pm. Geraldine will share stories and pictures from her six-month, 2,009-mile journey from Glasgow to Rome, as well as explaining what motivated her. There will be a cash collection for Mary's Meals and Dementia UK. Milngavie Library will be hosting its first-ever 'Family Quiz' on June 14, from 2pm to 4pm. Both individuals and teams can take part, with free tea, coffee, juice and biscuits available. Friday June 13, between 5.15pm and 8pm, sees the library host 'Library Line Dancing', where Graham Fox will teach dance moves. This event costs £5 per person, plus a booking fee. Councillor Jim Gibbons, chair of EDLCT, said: "You can enjoy talks, quiz questions, new writing and more. Check online for more information."
