Desperate plea as funding axed for Glasgow 'lifeline' hunger camp

Through a council fund, the Partick Thistle Charitable Trust has been running holiday programmes for school kids for five years to ensure they are fed.

But this might come to a stop this summer, causing around 150 children to miss out on free meals.

Jamie Carmichael, head of Community Coaching, said: "It's a disappointment.

"Of course, we have to understand that cutbacks are a thing but it's just disappointing that we didn't even get a conversation on how we can do it at a reduced fund.

"It seems the council thought there were other options in the area and made the decision.

"It looked good on paper, like these kids can go elsewhere if they don't come to Partick Thistle. But it doesn't work that way because a lot of the others are already full."

Children and staff at Petershill Park (Image: Gordon Terris, Newsquest)

(Image: Gordon Terris, Newsquest)

The devastating blow means the organisation has just weeks to raise around £150,000 or they need to cancel the camp.

Staff and volunteers are heartbroken to think about how low-income families will cope without the support.

The 27-year-old added: “To make sure kids are fed, this is number one, this is the mantra. The second, which is just as much the point as well, is to make sure the parents are sorted.

“The biggest problem is that the parents are working. So, they aren't home to look after the children and they can't afford childcare."

The camp runs at Petershill Park, Springburn, which is a deprived area.

Parents say the programme is lifesaving for some.

Jan Galbraith, 56, from Parkhouse, said: "This will have a major impact. 

"Poverty is hitting home a lot. This has been a lifeline.

"They get their breakfast and lunch here. Some parents might not have the means to provide those meals at home.

"They usually get a snack as well to take home.

"And taking them away is very expensive. I only have one boy, but for families with four or five, I don't know what they will do.

"I spoke to another mother who was getting a new job but needs to think about taking it now because childcare would be over £100 a week.

"It's sad that this is what it's coming to. We just took it for granted."

Tracy Pender and Jan Galbraith

(Image: Gordon Terris, Newsquest)

Tracy Pender, 46, added: "It's been phenomenal from the day it started.

"The good thing for us is that the kids come here during the holidays and we are able to run our charity, which we will find harder this year.

"We will need to take them in with us, which is a struggle because they have nothing to do.

"We are going to miss it. All the coaches are fantastic here. It's a family."

The mothers also both agreed they aren't aware of any other similar camps in the area.

The charity is now looking at other ways to secure funding but so far, it has proven challenging.

Jamie said: "We're at a crossroads now, trying to see to what capacity can we help.

"We are trying to see if we can keep the same programme going.

"This is the best thing we do here.

"The fact that now we have to go off our own back and try to make it happen is upsetting. We might have to do it to a different standard or even for a smaller group."

Tracy, who runs a local charity, said: "We had meetings already and we were thinking 'can somebody out there maybe just help the kids out?'

"Because they are the ones affected by this, they will see a huge loss.

"It's been running for so long, they won't know what to do.

"They will end up kicking about on the streets and people won't be happy about that.

"It's a no-win situation."

Along with getting nutritious meals, the children play football, participate in judo or dance classes and try arts and crafts during the summer camp.

(Image: Gordon Terris, Newsquest)

(Image: Gordon Terris, Newsquest)

Thomas Rannachan, Springburn councillor, said: “The holiday food programme provides a much-needed lifeline during recess, not just to pupils but hard-pressed families too.

"The loss of funding to any organisation has a detrimental impact on our community and given the position Glasgow North East finds itself on the SIMD index, this will only have wider implications for all other providers who may struggle to meet an increased demand”.

A Glasgow City Council spokesperson said: "Unfortunately, the total value of bids from organisations across the city significantly exceeded the £2million holiday programme budget.

"We know that over the years the programme has become very popular, and we rely on a variety of groups to deliver activities on our behalf to Glasgow's children and young people.

"Our officers will give individual feedback and support to unsuccessful organisations in the next couple of weeks.

"Each ward in the city will have activities on offer to families and information can be found on our website of what's on where."