News

Save the Children, which traditionally focuses on Africa, Asia and South America, is to raise money for families in the UK amid claims that youngsters are going hungry as they bear the brunt of the Government's austerity drive during the recession.

It warned that many children were missing out on regular hot meals, failing to wear warm coats or shoes and struggling to take part in school trips because their parents were so poor. Some mothers and fathers are also going hungry and being put under enormous emotional strain because of the pressures of feeding their families, it was claimed.

The charity – founded in 1919 – is now aiming to raise £500,000 amid fears levels of poverty in Britain are “tearing families apart”.

Justin Forsyth, the charity’s chief executive, has said “No child should see their parent going hungry or start the new term without a warm coat and with holes in their shoes.”

The charity, which works in 120 countries, has led campaigns in Britain before, including a famous drive to provide free school dinners for poor pupils. But this is the first time it has launched a major standalone fundraising campaign specifically to aid crisis-hit British children.