10 years of successful fundraising marked by World Porridge Day event

A Mary’s Meals supporter has marked 10 years since beginning a fundraising challenge by putting on a celebratory event in Dunoon.

Beverley Soltysiak, a community volunteer, set up a successful challenge in 2015 giving a target for the community to raise enough to provide 100 children with school meals for a whole year. Every year since then, this target has been reached and surpassed thanks to the wonderful generosity and creative fundraising efforts of her community.

On World Porridge Day this year (October 10) around 50 people gathered for an event at St Mun's Church Hall in Dunoon to celebrate the fantastic support for Mary's Meals from the community and mark 10 years of the challenge.

Local author Shirley McHugh, who has written two children's books in aid of Mary's Meals, the local Inner Wheel group and businesses who host collection cans were all in attendance on World Porridge Day. Handmade items were sold, there was a very successful raffle and supporters got together to celebrate and enjoy tea and themed cakes and biscuits. Sarah Mallon, Supporter Engagement Officer for West Scotland, spoke about the impact of local fundraising which has helped Mary's Meals to reach an exciting new milestone of feeding three million children every school day.

Beverely says: “Every year we try to organise different events and activities to keep people engaged. I find if we can organise a nice event that people enjoy coming along to, people will support it and then we achieve two purposes of raising funds for Mary’s Meals and bringing together the community for an enjoyable day. 

“This has included our knitathon, sponsored walks, coffee mornings and afternoon teas, virtual challenges, stalls, raffles, porridge parties and more! Each year we aim to raise enough to feed 100 children, but thanks to the community’s amazing generosity we have managed to feed an average of 300 children each year which is wonderful to see.”