Ethan’s Story

Ethan’s mum has severe anxiety and poor mental health. His dad recently started a new job and while the new job will bring in a higher wage, he had to wait six weeks before receiving his first salary payment. Money was tight and Ethan’s family were struggling to cope.

Ethan, nine, and attends a local primary school. His younger sibling is eligible for free school meals but Ethan isn’t and the family were struggling to afford the cost of daily school lunches.

Ethan had also become a fussy eater and mealtimes were difficult. While the rest of the family enjoyed a variety of foods, they had resorted to giving Ethan the same meal every day and they desperately wanted to break this cycle.

Using their Walton Charity Opportunities Fund, Ethan’s school were able to pay for school meals for Ethan for a term which has really helped the family. By eating lunch with his friends, Ethan has also been encouraged to try a variety of food and it has eliminated the stress at family mealtimes.

His school is one of 20 schools that currently hold an Opportunities Fund. These are awarded to schools across Elmbridge to support children and young people from low-income families with school-related costs. Providing schools with their own fund, means they can act quickly to support the families who need it most.

Walton Charity Opportunities Funds are awarded to local schools to help families with school-related costs like uniform, shoes, meals and school trips.