WHILE most teenagers were enjoying their first day of the summer holidays, Erin Marsh was up at the crack of dawn to ensure underprivileged children in Bolton receive a lunch over the summer period.

The 13-year-old from Westhoughton was one of the dozens of volunteers who turned out to show their support, as the summer operation got under way yesterday.

Bolton Lunches appeal, which was launched for the third time last year, is designed to help families who are struggling to make ends meet over the holidays.

According to the charity, one in five schoolchildren are eligible for free school meals in Bolton due to low incomes, and over the long summer break some families faces a struggle to fill that gap.

Dave Bagley, chief executive of Urban Outreach, said: “Without the volunteers, this would not happen.

“They have just turned up to help prepare the lunches, we didn’t know who was coming.

“It is quite moving to see the volunteers turn up so early to help, we have young people who are on the first day of their holidays who have come down to help.”

This year, 1,300 lunches on average will be distributed to 22 community centres, children’s centres, churches and other faith centres every day where they will be handed out.

Yesterday, 1,000 lunches were prepared. By tomorrow that will increase to around 1,200, then increase to 1,300 and reach a peak of 1,500.

The lunches will be targeted to the areas the charity thinks will benefit most, where there are high numbers of children on free school meals.

Mr Bagley said: “There are more centres this year, with more people approaching us recently.

“This is more than just about anti-poverty.

“We have a received a grant from the council, and been supported by businesses, with Seddons giving us a van and a delivery driver every single day so the lunches can be taken to the centres.

“Serious Law are loaning a van on Tuesday.

“This is community happening and it shows the children that people in Bolton care for them.”

Every day volunteers will make a selection of butties, cheese, tuna, chicken and ham, which will be then packed into lunch bags containing a juice, a snack, a nutritious bar and children can choose a piece of fruit.

“This year we have a selection of fruit, rather than just apples, which will be put in a bowl which children can choose for themselves,” said Mr Bagley, “It is a great atmosphere with everyone helping.”

The cost of providing the lunches will be in the region of £40,000 — with each packed lunch costing £1 — and the charity is appealing for donations to cover the cost, with any extra going to provide hampers for those in need over the winter months.

Mr Bagley said they are also always looking for volunteers to spend sometime in the morning to prepare the lunches.

He said: “We have made and packed 1,000 lunches in just three-quarters of an hour!”

Erin, who lives in Westhoughton, said: “I have come with my mum.

“I was up at 6.15am and I am enjoying it. It is important because we need to get the lunches to the children who need it.”

Zara Karim, aged 18, from Bolton, added: “Getting up early to do this is totally worth it. This is the first time I have done it and it has been worth getting up early for.”

Erin’s mum Chris, said: “I am so proud of Erin, I asked her if she wanted to come and help, it was her choice and she said yes.

“Doing something like this is giving back to society and it doesn’t surprise me that young people want to help.”

Hundreds of volunteers are expected to give up their time over the course of the holidays to make sure the lunches are made and packed.

Volunteer Carol Scott, from Bolton, said: “Doing something like this is very worthwhile and it makes it more special we are doing it for children.”

This year the scheme will help another 300 children this year, in comparison to a target of 1,000 set for last year’s project.

To donate or help with the scheme ring 01204 385848.