School dinners blogger releases book

Published on 16/11/2012 02:37

A FATHER has described his pride in his enterprising daughter after she released a book about her efforts to raise more than £120,000 for the Mary’s Meals charity through her controversial school meals blog.

Martha Payne, ten, hit the headlines earlier this year when her local council banned her from posting photographs of her school dinners online.

Following a media storm and support from across the globe, Argyll and Bute Council relented and Martha saw her fundraising total rocket.

Martha’s father David Payne said: “I am very proud. It started as such a simple idea and it’s amazing how social media can drive something. We never thought it was going to be anything more than a writing project.”

In reference to Argyll and Bute Council, Mr Payne reflected: “If they hadn’t made the choice to ban it, the response wouldn’t have come in and the money for Mary’s Meals wouldn’t have been raised.

Named after her blog Never Seconds, the book, released yesterday, features Martha’s story, with material from her blog and healthy eating tips for children. Each copy sold will help feed children in Malawi through a donation to Mary’s Meals.