Greggs charity expands breakfast clubs

The new breakfast club at Marriott Primary School in Leicester is funded by RBS Corporate and Institutional Banking (RBS) and The Greggs Foundation.

The charity was launched in 1987 and runs around 230 breakfast clubs across the UK providing over 11,000 children with breakfast each day. It has opened 12 new breakfast clubs this year, and has 50 more primary schools on the waiting list in the central region alone.

All of the breakfast clubs are held in schools where access to healthy food may otherwise be difficult and where there are high numbers of pupils who qualify for free school meals.

The new club will provide breakfast for up to 70 children consisting of fresh fruit, cereal, yoghurt and toast. The funding from RBS has been used to purchase fridge freezers, utensils, cutlery and games for the children to play with before school.

Catherine Stretton, head teacher at Marriott Primary School, said, ‘Greggs and RBS have given the children here so much and we’re tremendously excited about part of the project. As a teacher, I know the difference between a well-nourished and healthy child and one that isn’t. Good food will help with concentration, energy levels and overall health, all the vital ingredients to a bright future. We’re extremely appreciative to Greggs and the funding from the RBS.’

Lynne Hindmarsh from the Greggs Foundation said, ‘We’re passionate about helping those who need it the most and a good well rounded breakfast is imperative for the healthy growth of a child. Our breakfast clubs are an excellent way of ensuring that this happens where good quality food may be less accessible and we’re thrilled to be helping children of Marriott Primary. We couldn’t have done it without the involvement of the team at RBS and with their funding; the children can look forward to a healthy and fun start to their school day.’

Rosalind McArthur, relationship director at RBS, said, ‘ The Greggs Foundation Breakfast Clubs is a wonderful idea and one we’re more than happy to support. We’re always looking to help our local communities especially those who need it the most and we’re delighted to give the children the tools they need for a healthy start to the day.’

The Greggs Foundation started by Ian Gregg, the bakery’s founder, was launched in 1987 and now donates around £1.5m each year via its four programmes:

• the Major Grants Programme which provides grants in the North East of England;
• the Breakfast Clubs which provide a nutritious breakfast for primary children across the country;
• the Regional Grants Programme which are small grants to help community organisations provide new experiences for the most disadvantaged people;
• the Hardship Fund, a set of grants for individuals via recognised social organisations in the North East.