Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Maisie Williams urges fans to support Bristol-based food poverty charity

The Game Of Thrones star said she had been inspired by the ‘amazing work’ of The Mazi Project since attending a recent fundraiser with her friend.

Mike Bedigan
Monday 12 June 2023 17:53 EDT
Maisie Williams urges fans to support Bristol-based food poverty charity (Liam McBurney/PA)
Maisie Williams urges fans to support Bristol-based food poverty charity (Liam McBurney/PA) (PA Archive)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Game Of Thrones star Maisie Williams has urged fans to donate to a crowdfunder for a Bristol-based charity helping to support young people facing food poverty.

The actress, 26, said she had been inspired by the “amazing work” of The Mazi Project since attending a recent fundraiser with her friend.

The charity helps empower disadvantaged young people “through food”, providing weekly meal and recipe kits and fresh produce, among other things.

In an Instagram live video, later posted to her page, Williams spoke to the founder of the charity, Melanie Vaxevanakis, and one of its users.

She said that as her career had taken off she had been introduced to new types of food, from industry dinners to meals in the homes of those from different socio-economic backgrounds.

“I was learning about all these ingredients and all of these techniques and it really just grew my confidence socially,” she said.

“And when I heard you speaking about The Mazi Project for the first time I could really see how things that you were speaking about I could sort of pinpoint in my life.”

She continued: “I really see how food as a fundamental part of life can bring so much good beyond just knowing where your food is coming from.

“It kind of builds your confidence as a person and, you know, (by) surprising yourself by cooking and treating yourself to these amazing meals.

“Then you sort of start to question what other things am I capable of, and can I reach further and further beyond the limits that I see on myself?

“And I think that that’s kind of really at the core of Mazi – it’s helping people to eat but it also kind of empowers people beyond that.”

The Mazi Project has a fundraiser target of £30,000, with £9,000 already pledged by supporters.

Williams’ Game Of Thrones co stars Lena Headey and Kit Harington are among the high-profile figures who have already donated.

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in