OVER 10,000 vital meals are to be delivered to children living in poverty across Ayr during the summer holidays.

As school holidays start this week, hundreds of children will be left without essential free meals each day.

During this time a local group will be driving around in their double decker bus ensuring that no child goes without.

The 10:10 group, who drop off in Lochside, Newton, Dalmilling and James Brown Avenue will be out in force across the summer to tackle holiday hunger.

Dylan Harper who runs 10:10 has told how he has received 10,080 orders with an estimated 150 orders a day to be put out over 37 days.

The initiative has been running with South Ayrshire Council for two years in a row, with council grants funding the project.

The meals will be prepped at Kyle Academy before being whisked off each holiday day.

As well as providing meals and snacks for kids, the bus comes decked out with games consoles as well as volunteers bringing fun activities and games for children.

Dylan told the Ayr Advertiser “In some cases if we don’t do holiday meals, children won’t get fed, but its important to understand it’s also about supporting families.

“We are taking the pressure off having to pay for lunches. The summer holiday can bring increased costs for families who are already stretched on limited resources.

“Of course, there are children and families who are genuinely struggling and will go without if we don’t do it.

“But we also want to focus on the fun, as opposed to just being about dropping off meals.”

“When we started holiday meals, we focused on meals. If we turn our focus to activities.

“Our biggest concern is we can’t focus on the meals because then there is a poverty stigma attached to it. So, we are introducing lots of fun activities for the kids to get involved in.”

A spokesperson for South Ayrshire Council said: “”We’re very proud to be working with our partners once again to provide around 10,000 healthy meals to children and young people at 17 locations across South Ayrshire over the summer school holidays. As always, not only are we providing a healthy and nutritious lunch – we’re also delivering a great summer activities programme that ensures our young people eat well, have fun and get the chance to make new friends. In doing so, we’re indebted to our partners including the 10:10 Trust in North Ayr.

“The holiday lunch and activity programme really does make a difference – especially for those most in need – and it’s a great example of community, voluntary, church and social enterprise groups working hand in hand with the Council to support our people and places in a clear and tangible way and our thanks to everyone for playing their part.”