The half-term break is usually a source of excitement, but for the estimated three million children across Britain who rely on school to provide meals, a week off means going hungry.
Prince Harry visited an organisation working to overcome this problem when he stopped by the Fit and Fed half-term programme at the Streatham SYCT John Corfield Centre today.
Run by StreetGames, the Fit and Fed initiative aims to give young people free access to fun physical activities and a nutritious lunch during school holidays.
Children attending today’s half-term event came across quite a different face in the lunch line when Prince Harry grabbed a pair of latex gloves and served up a meal of salad, pasta, and garlic bread.
He also watched a Jui-Jitsu demonstration and trampoline games whilst speaking with staff and volunteers at the Streatham SYCT to learn more about how they provide a safe place for children to go during school breaks. The centre is open six days a week and provides services to young people in Streatham and the surrounding areas.
Before departing the event, a group of children from the centre presented the Prince with a gift for Baby Sussex: an oversized teddy bear.
According to StreetGames, 73 percent of the poorest families cannot afford to feed their children during school holidays. Not only do families go hungry, but they cannot afford to go on days out or pay for activities. With nowhere to go, inactivity and isolation become massive issues for these children.
During the summer 2018 Fit and Fed initiative, 146,260 meals were served and 15,511 participated in activity sessions.
Today’s engagement is the seventh time Prince Harry has supported StreetGames. The organisation was one of the charities named as a royal wedding donation recipient, and he attended prior Fit and Fed events in Newham in 2017 and Brent in 2018.
StreetGames work to empower disadvantaged young people through sport, providing access to physical activities to help children become healthier, safer, and more successful.
