My name is Audrey Laurens-Chalmers, and I am the owner of Fit Footwear Central, a shoe shop in St Helier. Along with my daughter Mollie, we have set up this crowd-funding page to raise money for food vouchers for vulnerable kids in secondary schools in Jersey. These can be used to buy a nutritious hot or cold lunch, which not all parents can afford to do.

Feeling hungry can affect behaviour and learning and, with your donation, we will be able to help. Caring Cooks have launched their “Flourish" programme in five secondary schools. They are a Jersey charity and registered NPO, founded in 2014 and firmly believe that good food and nutrition from birth and throughout a child’s life is crucial to successful development, in all areas of their lives.

Working with Haute Vallee, Grainville, Les Quennevais, and Hautlieu, Caring Cooks will fund vouchers for £3.90 to be provided to the schools to give to students who otherwise may not be able to afford a meal at lunchtime. This will allow students to have a hot meal, or a cold lunch such as a sandwich and a fruit pot.

You can find more details about their school lunch programme here: https://www.caringcooksofjersey.com/flourish/

Some relevant facts:

- Only 25% of children and young people are accessing their 5 fruits and vegetables a day

- As many as 1,000 children may be going without a hot meal each day

- 15% of adults don’t have the skills to cook a meal from scratch

How many of us spend £3.90 on a coffee and a croissant, which we often don’t think twice about..? Could you donate just one day, or even a whole week of those breakfasts or lunches, to help our more vulnerable children to access a hot meal at lunchtime, and achieve their full potential at school?

All donations will go directly to Caring Cooks. They will work with the schools to ensure the money raised goes to those who are most in need.

Thanks so much for reading and we hope you feel you could give something, no matter how large or small.

Donate today, and you'll be able to have your name and an optional message left on this page to show your support.