Five New Year’s resolutions that will make a positive impact

As we look forward to a new year, many of us will be setting new goals for 2024 including eating better, getting into fitness, sorting finances and more. However, this can also be a great time to support those in need.  

Here’s five suggestions on how you can support Mary’s Meals and make a life-changing difference to millions of hungry children in 2024. 

Move For Meals 

Looking to set some fitness goals? Last year one of our incredibly inspiring supporters, Geraldine McFaul, walked from her home in Glasgow to Rome. The 54-year-old spent nearly six months on the road as she travelled through Scotland, England, France, Switzerland and Italy on foot! 

Raising over £5,750 for Mary’s Meals, Geraldine walked on average 12 miles a day to complete the epic 2,000-mile journey. 

If you feel inspired by Geraldine’s story, then we’d love to encourage you to take part in Move For Meals! Simply choose your fitness activity of choice, whether that’s walking, swimming, dancing or running and set yourself a challenge to raise funds for hungry children around the world.

Here’s how you can take part in Move For Meals in 2024:

1. Choose how to move.
2. Decide whether to go solo or involve some friends. 
3. Get sponsored or donate to Mary’s Meals to mark your achievement – and remember to tell the world you’re part of #moveformeals.

For fitness fanatics or those looking to set themselves some BIG goals for the new year, Move For Meals is the perfect opportunity to lay some groundwork for our Dalmally to Malawi campaign which kicks off in April 2024. 

Ready, set… go!

Be more giving and Double The Love 

Generosity can go a long way and at Mary’s Meals we believe that through kindness, we can end world hunger. 

If you’re looking to be more giving, you can donate to our Double The Love campaign. Donations made until 22 January 2024 will be doubled, up to £1 million, meaning this winter £19.15 will feed two children for a whole school year.

Regular giving is also another fantastic way to support the charity throughout the year and if you set up a regular gift to Mary’s Meals before 22 January 2024, then your first two donations will be doubled!

To set up a regular gift today and help make a difference to children across the world, please visit Double The Love. 

Take up a new hobby and Make For Meals 

Calling all crafters, it’s time to get creative and make some beautiful arts and crafts! 

Perhaps you’re already a nifty knitter or master maker, or maybe you’re hoping to pick up a new hobby in 2024. Either way, there’s no better time to start as you can turn your creativity into life-changing meals for children in some of the world’s poorest countries by taking part in our campaign, Make For Meals. 

Need some inspiration? Head to our website to download our mug hugger knitting or crochet pattern, perfect for those colder months when you need a hot cuppa to warm you up! The knitting pattern is a great starting point to get those crafty ideas flowing, and a unique way to spread the message about our work. 

Download your mug hugger pattern today.

Volunteer 

If you’re looking to meet likeminded people, then volunteering might just be for you. Volunteering can be a brilliant way to connect with a new network and work together for a cause that means something to you.

As well as helping people in need, worthwhile causes and communities, research has found that the benefits of the selfless act have a positive impact on volunteers’ mental and physical health. 

At Mary’s Meals, we have more than 60 volunteer groups across the country who you’ll have the chance to meet with regularly in your area or online. Last year, some of our volunteers spoke to Huffington Post to discuss the positive effects of volunteering for Mary’s Meals and how it’s improved their mental wellbeing. 

Our work is only possible because of our many dedicated volunteers across the world – from people here in the UK who raise awareness, to those who cook our nutritious school meals in the countries where we work.

Raise Some Dough 

Expand your cooking skills in 2024 and learn how to bake some tasty treats while raising money for Mary’s Meals.

Whether it’s perfecting your baking technique for chocolate chip cookies, carrot cake or blueberry muffins, take part in our Raise Some Dough campaign by holding your own bake sale for friends and family. Star baker or not, it’s the taking part that counts!

Download a free fundraising pack which includes everything you need to hold a baking fundraiser here. 

If you need a little motivation to get started, then why don’t you download our exclusive recipe book which has a host of mouth-watering contributions from some of the UK’s favourite celebrities – including Great British Bake-Off winner Giuseppe Dell’Anno, Strictly Come Dancing star Ellie Taylor, and actors Joanna Lumley and Tamzin Outhwaite. 

And who knows, we might even see you on the next season of Great British Bake-Off!