Charity volunteers taking on Derry walking challenge to raise money for hungry children

A Two Bridges Walk is taking place in Derry on Sunday, August 3, starting in Sainsbury’s Car Park at 12noon and walking over the Foyle Bridge and the Peace Bridge.

The walk is being organised by local Mary's Meals volunteers Helen Quinn and Agnes Walsh, and is part of Step By Step To Feed The Next Child, a series of walks across Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland to raise money for Mary’s Meals, a charity serving school meals to more than 2.6 million hungry children in 16 countries, including Ethiopia, Haiti and Zimbabwe.

The promise of a daily meal encourages children from the world’s poorest communities into the classroom where they will gain an education that could be their ladder out of poverty. 

Helen explains why she supports Mary's Meals: “I worked as a teacher in Zimbabwe for three years and saw how children struggle to get an education. The children I taught had no shoes and walked for miles to get to school. They had little food, and no running water at home. Education was not free, so many children alternated between attending school for a year, then taking a year out to work on farms to earn their school fees for the following year. 

“I have seen how difficult it is for children to focus and learn when they are tired and hungry, with many having nothing to eat all day at school. The work that Mary’s Meals is doing is vital in supporting children to make the most of school and realise their potential.” 

Caoimhe McCann, Supporter Engagement Officer at Mary’s Meals, says: “I’m so thankful to all our Mary’s Meals volunteers for arranging and taking on this fantastic Step By Step challenge once again this year! Our team of volunteers are helping us feed so many hungry children with Mary’s Meals, and it means the world. 

“It costs Mary’s Meals just £19.15 to feed a hungry child for a whole school year, which is just 10p per meal. Any donation makes a real difference.” 

On August 3 those taking part will meet at 11.45 am in Sainsbury’s car park to begin walking at 12.00noon. The walk will finish by 2.00pm. 

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To register to take part in a Step By Step walk in your area, please visit marysmeals.org.uk/step. It is free to register. If you would like to organise a walk or volunteer to help at one of the events, please email info@marysmeals.org.