By David Pasia and Sahra Sancar
Carmel McConnell MBE, 59, is a British author and campaigner who has dedicated over a decade to the cause of finding solutions to food poverty among children. She was a panellist in the Hungry London debate at London Metropolitan University.
She remembers “being shocked to the core” when she was told that teachers in London had to bring in food every day for hungry children, simply in order to teach. This, she said, is what drove her to start the charity Magic Breakfast in 2004 as a bid to improve the learning of and school environment of the children who would otherwise attend school on an empty stomach.
With a background in social activism and senior corporate roles, McConnell was not ill-equipped when it came to founding her own charity. Currently, Magic Breakfast provides healthy breakfasts to children in England and Scotland during term time, in over 480 primary, secondary and Special Educational Needs schools, plus Pupil Referral Units.
McConnell firmly believes that “every child has the potential for a happy, healthy, loving life and many of their future life chances will result from their educational attainment.” Something as simple as being provided a healthy breakfast can make a huge impact on a child’s performance in school.
“All our schools report big improvements in attendance, punctuality, concentration and behaviour after a Magic Breakfast is provided regularly,” she says.
As a testament to her endearing crusade to end child hunger, McConnell has won numerous accolades. In April 2014, she was named as one of Britain’s most influential women in the BBC Woman’s Hour power list. Magic Breakfast won the No 10 Big Society Award in 2010 and is currently the Pearson UK Employee Charity of the Year.
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