Birmingham unites to tackle holiday hunger during Cash for Kids Day
People across Birmingham and the West Midlands are coming together today to support Cash for Kids Day - a powerful local initiative tackling holiday hunger and ensuring vulnerable children across our communities have access to food, activities, and support during the school holidays.
From schools and workplaces to local businesses and community groups, the region is taking part in a variety of fundraising activities today including:
• Walk Around the World Steps Challenge
• Big Breakfast events
• Charity raffles and fun days
All funds raised will go towards local holiday clubs and grassroots organisations, helping to ensure children from low-income families receive hot meals and enriching experiences during the summer break.
According to the End Child Poverty Coalition (2024), one in three children in the West Midlands are now living in poverty – significantly higher than the national average of one in four.
In Birmingham alone, the rate is as high as 48 per cent, meaning nearly one in two children are growing up in hardship.
In total, there are 462,847 children living in poverty across the West Midlands – with the region accounting for three of the top five highest-poverty areas in the UK.
Charlotte Walker, regional charity manager for Cash for Kids, said: “We know that school holidays can be a stressful and uncertain time for families already facing hardship.
“Cash for Kids Day is about showing the power of community – giving local children a safe place to go, a hot meal, and the chance to simply enjoy being kids.”
The charity is calling on people to donate where £6 provides a child with drinks, snacks, and a hot meal at a holiday club, £12 funds a full day of activities and food for one child, and £52 covers a five-day sports club place, with breakfast and lunch.
In 2024, Cash for Kids Midlands supported over 50 local projects, reaching 9,451 children.
