Friday, June 22, 2012

9-year-old’s blog sensation

When nine-year old schoolgirl Martha Payne started photographing her school dinners and rating them on a blog she set her sights on raising £7, 000 - enough for the Catholic charity Mary's Meals to build a kitchen in Malawi. 

But then her blog became an internet sensation and supporters have donated almost £90,000.

Martha began her blog "NeverSeconds" in April but was banned from taking her camera to lunch after the Scottish Daily Record published a story about the blog titled "Time to fire the dinner ladies".

A social-media backlash ensued that secured the support of celebrity chef Jamie Oliver and convinced Argyll and Bute Council to reverse their decision. 

Thousands sent messages of support - and donations - to Martha's blog.

Mary's Meals said today they will use the funds to build a kitchen at Lirangwe Primary School in Blantyre, as well help thousands of other children. 

The charity offered to name the kitchen after Martha, but she said she would like it to be called "Friends of NeverSeconds".
 
Video footage of Lirangwe children shouting "Thank you, Martha!" can be downloaded here.