Meals for best start in life

THIS Mother’s Day, I am thinking about everything women do to give their children the best start in life.

Like the women in countries such as Malawi, Liberia and India, who rise early each day to cook and serve food to hungry children in their communities with the charity Mary’s Meals.

Their dedication epitomises powerful motherly love, and it is thanks to them that Mary’s Meals is able to feed 1.6 million hungry children around the world every school day. The food they lovingly serve attracts little ones into the classroom, giving them the energy to gain an education that can, one day, be their ladder out of poverty.

I am in awe of these incredible women. And that’s why I am asking your readers to send a Mary’s Meals gift card to the special women in their lives this Mother’s Day. For just £15.90, it will feed a hungry child every day for a n entire school year. Please visit marysmeals.org.uk/mothersday to purchase your gift card in honour of the mums who make Mary’s Meals. I have already told my boys this is a gift I would be delighted to receive!

Sophie Thompson

Mary’s Meals UK

Learning about autism

OUR charity wants the 2020s to be the decade where society finally starts to work for autistic children and adults. Schools in your area have a key role to play in this – so we’re inviting them to get involved in World Autism Awareness Week (March 30 - April 5).

One in every 100 children are autistic and almost three quarters go to mainstream schools. Most people have heard of autism now. But far too few know what it’s actually like to be autistic - both the unique strengths and how hard life can be if you have difficulties communicating or feel intense anxiety in social situations. We have a range of free resources for schools (autism.org.uk/SAAW), including lesson plans, videos and posters. If any readers work at a local school, please take a look.We’re looking forward to working with lots of local schools. Better understanding and support will improve the lives of the 700,000 autistic children and adults in the UK.

Caroline Stevens, Chief Executive of the National Autistic Society