School children take the IF message to the Prime Minister

School children from across the UK, including ten young CAFOD supporters, took messages about global hunger directly to the Prime Minister this week. They were joined by Britain’s Got Talent Judge and children’s author, David Walliams.

Downing Street was filled with 30,000 empty plates yesterday, all inscribed with messages for David Cameron. The messages were written by school children, appealing to the Prime Minister to act on global hunger.

The specially crafted plates were delivered ahead of the G8 Summit, which brings together global leaders next week. The Summit provides a unique opportunity to address the issue of food inequality, and make 2013 the beginning of the end of hunger.

David Walliams joined the children in support of the  Enough Food for Everyone IF campaign. Walliams, who is also a Comic Relief Honorary Trustee and UNICEF UK supporter said:

“Now is the time for our Government to go further and show the rest of the world’s leaders that we’re serious about ending global hunger and poor nutrition. As part of my work for Comic Relief I’ve seen first-hand the devastating impact that hunger and malnutrition have on children, denying them the opportunity to grow, play and learn. Bold action at Saturday’s Nutrition for Growth event would truly change children’s lives.”

Around the world one in eight people do not have enough to eat. And nearly one in four children under the age of five are affected by poor nutrition.

Being able to stand in solidarity with other children around the world seemed important for nine year old Ben, from St Thomas More Catholic Primary School. Ben said: “CAFOD is helping many people to have enough food to live. We want to ask our world leaders to help all have food to eat.”

Having the opportunity to take their message directly to the Prime Minister also had an impact on the children. Lucy Meakin, 15, from Sir Thomas Boteler C of E School, said:

“It was a great experience today. This was a really good opportunity for us to make our point to the Prime Minister directly. He is very passionate about the issue of making sure that children everywhere have enough food”

Tomorrow many more be adding their voices to the IF campaign at the Big IF G8 Rally in Hyde Park. Among them will be thousands of CAFOD supporters.

Join us on Twitter

If you’re coming to the rally we look forward to seeing you then. If you can’t make it then you can follow the live action via Twitter. Follow us @CAFOD or use the #BIGIF hashtag.