A class double-act: Britain’s favourite presenting duo, Alison Hammond and Dermot O’Leary, double the Christmas love with school meals charity

All donations made to Mary’s Meals will be matched, up to £1.1 million, helping feed even more hungry children this winter 

British presenting duo, Alison Hammond and Dermot O’Leary are calling on the nation to give children the gift of hope this Christmas by donating to Mary’s Meals’ appeal, Double The Love.

For a limited time, all donations made to Mary’s Meals will be doubled by a group of generous supporters, up to a total of £1.1 million. Funds raised from the appeal will help the charity keep their promise of a daily nutritious meal to children living in the world’s poorest countries including Lebanon, Haiti and South Sudan as well as striving to reach the next hungry children, who are waiting for Mary’s Meals.

Dynamic duo Alison and Dermot are thrilled to be celebrating the launch of the campaign and are urging people from around the UK to make a lasting impact to the lives of even more children this festive period. The Double The Love appeal will support Mary’s Meals in its mission to serve daily meals to more than 2.4 million vulnerable children at school. These daily school meals not only satisfy hungry children but fuel their potential by removing a barrier to education, giving them the opportunity for a brighter future.

Alison, who presents British daytime show, This Morning, says: “As parents ourselves, Dermot and I are in awe of the work that Mary’s Meals does around the world! By supporting the charity, you’re giving the little ones more than a meal, you’re fuelling their dreams and empowering their futures.

“During Double The Love, your donation will go further than ever before – just £19.15 feeds a child for an entire school year with Mary’s Meals but this festive season, you can feed two children for the same cost. There’s never been a better time to support this life-changing cause.”

Co-host Dermot adds: “Every child deserves the chance to learn and thrive, and for many, that starts with a simple nutritious meal at school. This Christmas, a small act of generosity can make a big difference to those who need it most.

“Please support Double The Love and donate to Mary’s Meals, allowing your kindness to go twice as far. Together, we can transform the lives of many more desperately hungry children waiting for Mary’s Meals.”

Marie Doyle, Interim Executive Director of Mary’s Meals, is delighted that the presenters are backing the charity: “Who better to launch our Double The Love appeal than Britain’s much-loved presenting duo, Alison and Dermot! We are beyond grateful to have their support.

“Our school meals programme is needed now more than ever, as rising food prices, the impact of climate change, and ongoing conflicts make it even harder for children in the world’s most vulnerable communities to access a basic education. We know that 67 million children are out of school because hunger keeps them working or begging for food. Your donation this Christmas will help us ensure that children continue to receive life-changing meals and to grow our work so we can reach those children who are still waiting.”

Donate today to help Mary’s Meals unlock all the available funds. The gift matching will end once the charity reaches the £1.1 million total. For more information, please visit marysmeals.org.uk/double.

Sonia and Babita’s story

Sonia, a bright-eyed 10-year-old, and her 14-year-old sister, Babita, come from a humble family. Sadly a few years ago, their world was turned upside down when their father tragically passed away from Covid, followed closely by the loss of their grandmother. Within a short span of time, the family faced a series of hardships.

Babita recalls: “Before, it was good. Father used to earn money, and I remember him encouraging me to learn and study.”

Sonia continues: “When he died, there was no rice, no food at home. For days, we did not eat. I felt sad, and the whole family went hungry.”

Recognising the family’s struggles, nuns at St Theresa School stepped in to offer support. The girls found some relief in the form of Mary’s Meals’ school feeding programme, serving a daily meal to every pupil attending the school. To provide Sonia with a more stable environment, their mother made the decision to send her to live at the convent school, while Babita travels home to help care for her other siblings.

For Babita, the school meals have become a crucial lifeline, helping to ease the burden food insecurity. At home, she often has only leftovers to eat so the nutritious school meal is vital, especially since she needs the energy to participate in the sports and games she loves.

While Sonia and Babita’s lives have taken different paths since the death of their father and grandmother – one living at the convent, the other at home – their connection remains strong. The meals they share at school bring them together each day, offering a moment to find comfort in each other’s presence.

By donating to Mary’s Meals during Double The Love, people can ensure that more young learners, like Sonia and Babita, are given the opportunity to grow up well-nourished and well-educated, equipped with the skills to lift themselves and their communities out of poverty.

For a limited time only, all donations made to Mary’s Meals will be doubled by a group of generous supporters, up to £1.1 million. Visit marysmeals.org.uk/double to find out more.