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Backpack campaign for the world’s poorest children 16/3/13

A collection of school backpacks has been initiated by MSPs at the Scottish Parliament. Jamie McGrigor is co-ordinating the effort among Conservative MSPs.

The Mary’s Meals project provides a daily meal in a place of education to chronically poor children in countries such as Malawi, Liberia and Haiti. In 2002 the project fed 200 children but now feeds over 600,000 providing a lifeline to the very poorest families.

As part of their work Mary’s Meals runs a backpack project which provides a small backpack filled with basic school equipment pencils, pens, paper etc. and some personal items such as a t shirt, towel, toothpaste etc, (second hand is fine as long as in good condition). This is given to the children to help in their education and daily lives.

The initiative at the Scottish Parliament has the support and co-operation of all parties and media staff who work in the Parliament.

Jamie McGrigor MSP said: “Mary’s Meals, which is based near my home near Dalmally in Argyll, is a fantastic charity which does brilliant work helping some of the world’s poorest children. The Backpack project is a key part of their on-going work and I am delighted to join my parliamentary colleagues and friends in the media in trying to do our small bit to help.

“ I would urge anyone not aware of Mary’s Meals backpack project to look at http://www.marysmeals.org.uk/what-you-can-do/backpack-project/ and consider organising a collection of backpacks in their own workplace, community, school, college etc. A small backpack may not seem like much but it provides real practical help in the education and well being of some of the world’s most impoverished children.”