For many, the school summer holidays are a relaxing break away from homework; a chance to recharge and make precious memories.
But for some, the reality is far less rosy. With interest rates at a 15-year high and supermarket prices soaring, food charity FareShare estimates three million children in the UK risk going hungry during the school holidays.
With parents spending on average £226.80 on their supermarket shop and £196.60 on meals out each week during the summer holidays, mum-of-three Hannah Harper, 32, says it’s a particularly concerning time.
“When I see the six weeks on the horizon, I start panicking,” she says. “Over summer, our food bill almost doubles. Not only do I have to buy breakfast, lunch and dinner, but snacks too. When they’re at school I don’t need to worry about that.”
After her husband Richard, 34, suffered a stroke earlier this year, the family’s income was severely impacted – which worsened when financial support they received for Richard’s disability was reduced.
“We worked out that we’d be losing around £700 a month. That was a huge blow,” she says.
Hannah, from Cambridgeshire, who shares Molly-Jane, 13, William, 11, and six-year-old Arabella with Richard, says it’s “heartbreaking” to see her children’s summer affected by food concerns. “The kids want their friends to come over, but it often means having another mouth to feed. It’s hard telling my children they can’t see pals because we can’t afford it.”
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة August 21, 2023 من New UK.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة August 21, 2023 من New UK.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
A STICKY SITUATION
Actors Chris Diamantopoulos and Guillaume Cyr bond with Margo Martindale and get beaten up by Jamie Lee Curtis in a riotous new comedy drama series
THIS IS CHRISTMAS ACTUALLY
Love Actually writer and director Richard Curtis gifts the world a new festive film this year
LEARN HOW TO PLEASE YOURSELF
The festive season can be an incredibly stressful time, particularly for peoplepleasers who struggle to put their own needs first
Caught on dashcam injecting her ex with fatal dose of 'poison"
Amanda Hovanec enlisted her lover and her mother in her cold-blooded plot
'I looked better getting married at 53 than I did at 23!'
Wellbeing coach Sarah-Jane Clark, from Swindon, shares how she achieved her dream of wearing a size 10 wedding dress after losing 12st
'I am so looking forward to Christmas'
Helen Flanagan shares her plans for the holidays with her new boyfriend Robbie Talbot and her kids
I'm turning the anger into positive energy
His best friend's death has made Gok Wan rethink life
‘I'm careful with who I allow in my inner circle
Actress and presenter Kéllé Bryan on managing fame and fronting a new fashion initiative
'There were rats..it is a real jungle
Marvin Humes on his I'm A Celebrity experience, backing his buddies and the importance of kindness
'It's not going to be sexy Maura on I'm A Celeb'
Model Caprice Bourret tells new about her festive traditions and starring in and producing a Christmas film