MANY catering businesses showed true kindness recently when they stepped in to help feed children who were denied free school meals during the latest half term holiday.

Throughout the district, businesses were lining up to help out after the Government initially rejected a vote to extend the free school meal vouchers throughout the school holidays.

Most notably, Karen Robinson and her team at Top Nosh Sandwich shop in Hexham went above and beyond to ensure families struggling for whatever reason were fed when away from the school environment.

The popular shop provided hundreds of meals for school children, and even raised thousands of pounds for the cause while doing so.

Their efforts were even picked up by Manchester United and England footballer, Marcus Rashford, who shared their announcement on Twitter.

A justgiving page set up by Karen has now raised over £4,000, which will go towards supporting children during the Christmas holidays.

And her campaigning - joined with millions across the UK - has forced a Government U-turn. Prime Minister Boris Johnson told Rashford this weekend that £400m of extra funding has been set aside for the measure.

According to the latest figures, 1.5 million people in the UK were out of work in June to August - a rise of 0.4 per cent on the previous three months.

In addition, many families are feeling the effects of coronavirus restrictions on their pockets, with pay decreased by furlough and other Covid-19 restrictions.

Speaking after half term, Karen said she was shocked by the levels of child poverty in Hexham.

Karen said: “It’s been absolutely crazy. We’ve had lots of packed lunches going out, delivered by volunteers.

“I’m passionate about local charity anyway, and I thought ‘great, we will do that.’ “I’ve spent every day since Friday crying.

"A lot of these people, their circumstances have changed because of the pandemic. “It could happen to me and my husband tomorrow.

"Nobody knows what’s round the corner.

“I’ve had my eyes opened to the level of child poverty in Hexham, which I didn’t realise there was. “I’ve never experienced it before, I’ve been lucky enough to come from a family that was able to provide for me.”

The Government’s new funding will now cover the Covid Winter Grant Scheme, up to £170m, to support families over the season, while the Holiday Activities and Food Programme will be extended to cover the Easter, summer and Christmas breaks in 2021.

But the commitment and dedication of those whose efforts effectively forced the Government into changing its plans should never be forgotten, with Karen leading the way in the Tyne Valley.