Sheffield school leads national campaign to fight world hunger

Tapton School is trailblazing the Really Good School Dinner campaign ahead of its national live week in January 2010, having raised over £330 in 10 pences for the cause already. Year 10 student, Akram Ahmed, who contributed the first 10p of the day, said: "I've donated my money because every six seconds a child dies of hunger. People are also dying from obesity in this country and school meals are healthy food, so the Really Good School Dinner is helping people here as well as in less developed countries." Sheffield City Council Cabinet Member for Children's Services and Lifelong Learning Cllr. Andrew Sangar, added: "I know that the World Food Programme was overwhelmed with the enthusiasm of the Tapton children so I'm delighted that they have been chosen to lead the campaign nationally. It makes me proud that a Sheffield school has set an example for children across the rest of the country to follow next year." The Really Good School Dinner is a partnership campaign between The School Food Trust and the WFP, in which school children are invited to buy one, give one free. Every 10p donated by children goes to the WFP's School Meals Programme. At the same time the campaign encourages children in this country to enjoy school lunches, which are now governed by nutritional standards, guaranteeing pupils a healthy meal. Tapton School Headteacher, Mr David Bowes, commented: "It makes youngsters think not just about their own health but about others who are less fortunate. Our pupils are very blessed to go home and go to bed having eaten. It is so important for them to understand that many other children won't get an education if they don't eat. We will do all we can to raise their awareness of this issue." The first Really Good School Dinner in January 2009 saw more than 118,000 school dinners eaten by children in schools around the country, raising a total of £11,855 for WFP. School Food Trust chief executive Judy Hargadon said: "This campaign highlights two hugely important issues: the importance to children's well-being in the UK of eating a healthy school lunch and the increasing problem of food insecurity in the developing world. "The enthusiasm by participating schools during the first Really Good School Dinner was amazing. Taking part is easy, good fun and addresses these important issues, so I encourage schools to join in and help make this Really Good School Dinner an unprecedented success." Participating schools receive an information pack including lesson plans, international recipes, case studies, campaign posters and more.