COMMENT: Sunderland steps up to care for our kids

Headteacher Susan Robertson with food parcels for children who receive free school meals.

To end a torturous week in which a move to give children free schools meals over the school holidays was defeated, we can report some heartwarming news in our community.

First up in Ashley Hammond and Dave Carter who are serving up a helping hand for families hit by the suspension of free school meals during the half-term break.

The pair, who run the City Tea Rooms in St Thomas Street, are doing their bit by providing free kids meals, complete with drink, during the holiday.

They are not alone.

Headteacher Susan Robertson and her team at St Leonard’s RC Primary School came together with a plan to support their families during the October holidays, assembling at a day’s notice, 26 food parcels for pupils who receive free school meals to take home for the week.

Even big business got in on the act.

Sunderland-based ScS has shown its support for families by paying for thousands of meals. The company confirmed that it has donated £20,000 to Together for Children to fund meals for youngsters in need on Wearside.

The thought of children going hungry has galvanised the community once again.

As campaigning footballer Marcus Rashford said this week: “This is not politics, this is humanity.”

Sunderland showed where they stand on this issue in the best way it can. A fantastic response.