Deborah Meaden’s Call to Action for Random Acts of Kindness Day

Entrepreneur and Dragons’ Den star Deborah Meaden is encouraging people across the country to invest in a child’s future ahead of Random Acts of Kindness Day (Tuesday, 17 February).

Longtime supporter Deborah has once again teamed up with international school feeding charity Mary’s Meals and is calling on the public to make a big impact with their small change. 

Deborah says: “It costs just 10p to feed a hungry child with Mary’s Meals, and just £19.15 for a full school year. How incredible is that?!  

“This Random Acts of Kindness Day is the perfect time to give a little to Mary’s Meals. Your kindness will ensure that children in some of the world’s poorest communities can learn and play on a full tummy, allowing them to be the happy children they were born to be.”

“How often do you find 10p down the back of the sofa or hidden in your jacket pocket? It’s remarkable that that one coin can have such a substantial impact on a hungry child, giving them a nutritious meal in school on a day where they otherwise may not have had anything else to eat.”

Mary’s Meals feeds a daily school meal to three million children in 16 countries including Ethiopia, Haiti and Yemen. The charity, founded in a shed in the Highlands in 2002, encourages children experiencing poverty and hunger into the classroom where they gain a basic education that can provide an escape route from poverty.

Thanks to the kindness of those donating, 11-year-old Mickael from Madagascar is thriving both in the classroom and on the football pitch.

Mickael says: “What has changed in me since the school feeding started is that I am not hungry at school and I can focus during class.  

“My favourite subject at school is mathematics and my favourite game is playing football because we compete between class, during the break.”

Deborah says: “With your support, children like Mickael can reach their full potential. I’m delighted to be supporting Mary’s Meals, and stories of Mickael’s and three million children like him show that a little kindness really does go a long way!”

Dan McNally, Head of Grassroots Engagement at Mary’s Meals, says: “We all know from Deborah’s role on Dragons’ Den that she knows the power of investment, and we’re incredibly thankful for her support as we invest in the future of children by providing them with nutritious meals and a chance to realise their potential.

“Random Acts of Kindness Day gives us the chance to reflect and take action to help those less fortunate than us. Mary’s Meals’ low-cost model means even the smallest donation can have a life-changing impact on hungry children.”

To find out more and to donate to Mary’s Meals, please visit marysmeals.org.uk