Cash plea by breakfast club on the breadline

An average of 40 pupils at Buttershaw First School can enjoy a full breakfast for only 25 pence - setting them up well for the day ahead.

Kitchen staff and volunteers supervise the youngsters and Thom Skelton, community development worker at Buttershaw Advice and Social Centre, organises the service.

He says it would be sad to lose such a valuable asset, which would cost only £2,000 to continue for another year. "Its aim is for the children to get a healthy breakfast before school starts," he said. "And more money could open it in other schools in the area."

Children are joined by parents and older brothers and sisters from the nearby middle school and pay 25 pence for cereal, toast and a hot drink or juice. The club runs three days a week.

The school's acting deputy head teacher Richard Lewis said the need for a breakfast club had been revealed when its home liaison teacher talked to parents. She found they sometimes did not have time to include breakfast in the hectic rush to be ready for school in the mornings.

"We also had a few children coming to school who had rushed and we found them eating a bag of crisps on the way to school. We wanted to give them something that was a bit more nutritious and give them a warm start to the school day," he said.

As well as the school's four-to nine-year-olds enjoying the breakfast club, parents come and have a family breakfast with their children. There is a library area too, so pupils and parents can read a book when they have finished eating.

And staff at the health centre on the estate have brought display boards and competitions with a health theme to add to the general education of the youngsters.

Mr Skelton appealed for anyone who could help with sponsorship to get in touch with him at Buttershaw Advice and Social Centre on (01274) 674812.

T&A Opinion

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