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This article is part of the Financial Times' financial education and inclusion campaign subscriber Seasonal appeal With magic breakfast
Since the Financial Times launched its first seasonal appeal nearly twenty years ago, a common theme has emerged across our philanthropic efforts.
Previous campaign partners have focused on a range of good causes, but we have often reached out to charities that help feed and educate young people: from Camfedour first philanthropic partner, funds female education in Africa, for Water aid and Action against hungerwhich aims to address more existential threats.
This holiday season, we're combining those age-old interests in nutrition and education. Local FT Charity Flake (FT Financial Literacy and Inclusion Campaign) has teamed up with Magic breakfast For a common appeal focused on two axes: the crucial difference that good nutrition can make to young people's ability to learn, through healthy breakfasts at school; The crucial difference that learning financial life skills can make is in a young person's ability to go on to live successful lives.
With support from FT readers, we aim to raise over £100,000 to expand Magic Breakfast’s provision of free school breakfasts and accelerate the launch of the FLIC financial education program for schools. The campaign will continue until the end of the month and donations can be made at ft.com/donate. If you haven't donated yet, please consider supporting our work. Both individual and corporate donations would be greatly appreciated.
Amid a turbulent world, there are a wide range of worthy causes that we can all support – from charities that support those living in war zones or mitigate natural disasters to those that provide support to those in need.
The work of FLIC, of which I chair, and Magic Breakfast are not intended to compete with such vital issues. But in dealing with the best ways to support the next generation, it doesn't get more important than the endeavors of our charities. as Articles of this seasonal appeal As we have shown, there is a growing awareness around the world – of Finland to Indonesia – Nutritious food in schools can make a big difference in future life.
In our FT width To launch the call, we highlighted a recent report by the UK Education Policy Institute, a think-tank Found Children under five years of age who experience food poverty are more likely to have poor mathematics skills and cognitive development. We followed up with analysis Fast food crisis – And the levels of obesity associated with it – affecting children. A healthy eating initiative at Mandeville Primary School in Hackney has been an outstanding success, with deputy head Kaltoum Yusuf reporting that children are “getting more energy”.
Good financial education initiatives have been no less influential. Barely a year after rolling out our curriculum, FLIC is already in over 600 schools across England, with plans to move to the rest of the UK in 2025. Grounded in how basic finance works – from credit card principles to buy now , and repaying loans later to take advantage of the benefits of fixed-rate mortgage deals and tax-incentivized savings – are more important than ever, as consumers are bombarded with online marketing and scams that often start on social media platforms.
Feed the future
Supporting the financial education and inclusion campaign Common seasonal appeal With magic breakfast
Like Lucy Kellaway, veteran FT journalist turned educator and FLIC curator, Found in ManchesterFLIC's lesson on the financial risks of online gaming left the class she visited energized and armed with valuable learning. “I can't think of many 50-minute lessons I've given in my entire teaching career that achieved such a breakout score,” she concluded.
FLIC is ensuring that everyday finance is routinely taught around the world and submitted a report to the recent UK Government in England Curriculum review For this purpose. As the charity expands its work to include adults, Including the armed forces and the National Health Service, and will also expand its focus outside the United Kingdom. This year will see FLIC develop a joint program with Pratham, the India-focused education charity, to launch a financial literacy initiative there.
As part of this year's Seasonal Appeal, we were delighted to secure support for this appeal – and the work of FLIC – from key figures in UK national and local government. in Video interview with Mayor of London Sadiq Khan She spoke passionately about the stigma of food poverty while highlighting Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson in an article Opinion article Government pledge to introduce breakfast clubs in all primary schools. As FLIC and Magic Breakfast continue their mission to improve lives nutritionally and financially, we hope to have your support, too. Thank you.
patrick.jenkins@ft.com
