More than 1.3 million free lunches were distributed to metropolitan families on Christmas Day

Rachel Ledwitt, head of community engagement at The Felix Project, which works with The Standard to tackle food poverty, said: “Christmas can be an incredibly stressful time for parents, particularly those on a low income. They often have to spend money on gifts and food that they don't have, and with the rising costs of children at home, this can mean that many have no choice but to go into debt or skip meals. Being able to send your children to a holiday club where they are given delicious and healthy food for free is essential to reduce their budget pressure.