His story moved me to tears

STRUGGLING households, rising food bills, soaring energy costs - they're never out of the headlines of late.

- EMMA GILL

But headlines are one thing. It's only when we see and hear from those directly affected that the gravity of the situation is laid bare.

This week I spoke to the headteacher of a Salford high school about what it's doing to support families who are needing more help than ever.

With kids turning up before Co-op Academy Swinton even opens, desperate to get inside where it's warm and take advantage of the free breakfast club, principal Zarina Ali told me how one boy comes each day, puts a red apple in each pocket, a yoghurt in his bag and takes some food to go and sit near the radiator to get warm.

I've been a journalist for more than 20 years. I've covered some truly horrific stories. But this story of a young boy taking sanctuary inside a school canteen - brought me to tears.

What this place and so many others are doing is amazing, but it only goes to show what a mess our society is in.

How have we reached a point where for so many kids, school has become the only place they are guaranteed food and heating?

I'm pretty sure this boy and all the others like him wouldn't be getting to school so early if it wasn't for the warm refuge it's become. What teenager wouldn't prefer an extra hour in bed?