Devizes boy, 14, spends summer making free children’s lunches

A 14-year-old boy has set up a scheme to ensure other children in his area do not go hungry over the summer holidays.

Buddy, who lives near Devizes in Wiltshire, makes and hands out packed lunches in the town three times a week with the aim of helping families who would usually get free school meals during term time.

The food is partly provided by local business sponsors, with the remainder bought by Buddy from funds donated by the public through his website and Facebook page.

“It makes me feel really happy, in general, to help people,” said Buddy, who makes all the meals in his kitchen at home.

The lunch bags include crisps, fruit and sandwiches with various fillings. He also provides breakfasts.

Buddy believes he gives out roughly 100 meals a day and intends to continue offering the service, called Lunch Box Buddy, throughout the summer holidays.

“You see a lot of families that do really need this. So it can really make you think about the struggle,” he said.

“I wanted to help out so that those families can be resting and then still get their lunch and not be worried about what’s for the next meal.

“It can be expensive in the summer holidays, so this helps massively for them.”

Buddy’s mum Emily said she was “incredibly proud” of the work he was doing.

“I really feel like he’s doing some good,” she said.

“He knows he’s making an impact to some of those families, because some of the children aren’t just having the lunch now, they’re [also] getting breakfasts and food for the weekend,” added Emily.

“They’re families for whom it is making a real difference. It’s a real need.

“I can’t think of anything better I’d like to do this summer than be here with him.”