'Families are in hardship': Inside the camp feeding kids over the summer holidays

A Glasgow charity launched a fundraiser to keep its holiday hunger camp going after funding was withdrawn.

The Partick Thistle Charitable Trust has been running this programme for five years with the aim to feed school kids and provide free childcare to struggling families.

This year, however, Glasgow City Council decided not to award the group the money to run their summer event, leaving them to turn to the community for help via a JustGiving page.

READ NEXT: Desperate plea as funding axed for 'lifeline' hunger camp

Jamie Carmichael, Fraser Cromar, Noah Fortucci, social media intern (Image: Gordon Terris, Newsquest)

(Image: Gordon Terris, Newsquest)

(Image: Gordon Terris, Newsquest)

(Image: Gordon Terris, Newsquest)

Fraser Cromar, CEO, said: "It's really horrible that for a lot of these kids that come along, the only nutritional meal they are getting is at this camp.

"Sometimes when they leave, the next meal they have is when they come back the next day.

"Without this funding that we haven't managed to secure, a lot of these children are falling through the cracks.

"100 of them have fallen through the gap and the worry is, where are they, are they okay and are they safe?"

"Without us, families who are already in hardship, face an even tighter situation."

Despite being cash-strapped, the trust launched the camp on Monday but could only take 60 children instead of the usual 150.

Activities are taking place at Kelvin College, based in Springburn, which offered their campus for free.

(Image: Gordon Terris, Newsquest)

(Image: Gordon Terris, Newsquest)

(Image: Gordon Terris, Newsquest)

(Image: Gordon Terris, Newsquest)

Despite these measures, the organisation is still in need of more funding to pay for meals and staff throughout the summer holiday.

It is asking local residents and companies to donate and enable the five-week programme to continue.

Jamie Carmichael, head of programmes, said: "As far as issues go, you've got hungry children here, who have been ridiculously affected by the cost-of-living crisis.

"There is not an issue that's more important right now. Whichever angle you are looking at it, families, kids, community benefit, free meals, holiday activity.

"In terms of a political, human and community angle, this should be the priority of what we need to do as Glasgow.

"It might look like there are other options on paper but it doesn't work like that because they are all full.

"If somebody could come in and make it easier for us, it seems like a no-brainer for me."

The CEO emphasised workers will work to secure the money "by hook or by crook" and use every penny donated to feed pupils.

To support the Partick Thistle Charitable Trust, you can donate here.