'How I'm striving to save summer

Mum Hannah reveals how families like hers are fighting the cost of living crisis right through the holidays, while experts reveal the best money-saving deals

- LUCY ROBINSON

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.”