COOKIE the Kookaburra has been a welcome addition to classrooms at Perry Wood Primary and Nursery School in Worcester.
He is the vibrant mascot of charity the Rapid Relief Team (RRT) which supplies food boxes and Early Bird Learning educational resources to children in primary schools and their families, ensuring a brighter future for every young mind.
Headteacher Suzanne Beston said: “The food boxes are amazing. Parents tell us these are the staples that they can’t necessarily afford to buy and the things that children like to eat.’
Footballer Marcus Rashford’s campaign to end food poverty struck a chord with millions across the UK. Recent government figures show that in 2021/22 there were 4.7 million people, or seven per cent of the UK population, in food poverty, including 12 per cent of children.
With the energy crisis and the rising cost of living, families will face an even greater challenge to put food on their table.
Each school engaged in the Early Bird Learning Program has received its very own Cookie the Kookaburra, alongside worksheets and breakfast bowls, which the pupils can take home to encourage them to eat a healthy breakfast of ‘brain food’ such as porridge, slow burning carbs and fruit.
The RRT also provides an interactive Cookie video which discusses mental health and wellbeing from a child’s perspective, creating a meaningful and engaging story which has proved to be a great tool for teachers.
Post pandemic, many children are experiencing anxiety and Cookie can help them with his workbooks and key messages.
