Scottish Catholic Observer

The charity, which provides free school meals, was one of several good causes that the Coatbridge-based group decided to support during its crib collection over the Christmas period.

The Knights of St Columba group raised more than £600 in total for Mary’s Meals as a result of public donations and also gifts made by its members.

This donation will now be doubled by the UK government as part of the charity’s UK Aid Match campaign, which the SCO is supporting.

Until March 1, public donations to Mary’s Meals’ Double The Love campaign will be matched by the UK government, up to £2 million, helping to provide life-changing daily school meals to impoverished children in Zambia.

Harry Gaffney, from the Knights of St Columba in Coatbridge, said: “We always like to help charities that work overseas, so Mary’s Meals has been a charity that we have supported as a group for a while now.

“The crib sat outside St Partick’s church on the main street in Coatbridge. It was hand-built especially for the collection and people really liked coming along to see it.”

‘Wonderful supporters’

Mary’s Meals currently provides life-changing daily school meals to over 1.4 million children in 18 countries around the world.

Christina Lynas, community fundraising manager at Mary’s Meals, was presented with a cheque by Mr Gaffney and Des Hamill from the Knights of St Columba.

She said: “Our wonderful supporters never cease to amaze us with their kindness and determination to help us reach the next hungry child with Mary’s Meals.

“We are incredibly grateful to the Knights of St Columba, and the people of Coatbridge, for their fundraising efforts.

“We are delighted that, during our Double The Love campaign, we have an opportunity to create an even bigger impact by transforming the lives of many more hungry children in Zambia with the gift of food and education.”

For further information about the Double The Love campaign and to find out how to get involved, visit www.marysmeals.org.uk