Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Scotland’s national chef backs charity’s virtual Big Family Christmas

Gary Maclean is inviting people to around the world for a virtual Christmas dinner with Mary’s Meals.

Emma Lawson
Tuesday 20 December 2022 07:25 EST
Scotland’s national chef Gary Maclean is supporting Mary’s Meals (Andrew Milligan/PA)
Scotland’s national chef Gary Maclean is supporting Mary’s Meals (Andrew Milligan/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.

Scotland’s national chef is urging people to join a charity’s virtual Christmas dinner to help feed some of the world’s poorest children.

Gary Maclean, winner of 2016’s MasterChef: The Professionals has been a long time supporter of Mary’s Meals and is supporting its Big Family Christmas.

The event will raise money to feed children living in the world’s poorest countries.

Mr Maclean said: “As Scotland’s national chef, it goes without saying that I love a Christmas get-together with my family and good food.

“This year, we’ll be tucking into a traditional turkey dinner with all the trimmings. And, of course, I’ll be cooking. It may well be a bus man’s holiday – but I know how lucky I am. That’s why I always take part in Mary’s Meals’ Big Family Christmas fundraiser.”

Mary’s Meals serves school meals to more than 2.2 million children in some of the world’s poorest countries, such as Kenya, Haiti and Yemen.

It allows children to have a warm meal and encourages them to get into the classroom to gain an education.

For £15.90, enough to feed a child with Mary’s Meals for a school year, people can join the Big Family Christmas.

Supporters will receive a certificate and their name, or the name of a loved one, will appear on the charity’s virtual dinner table – alongside the names of thousands of supporters from across the world.

The Big Family Christmas was launched in 2015 and since then 46,000 people around the world have taken part.

Mr Maclean: “Setting a place at Mary’s Meals’ virtual dinner table has become a Christmas tradition for me, my family and many thousands of Mary’s Meals supporters around the world.

“Together, we are bringing hope to millions of little ones with the promise of a daily school meal. My Christmas wish is that people across Scotland will join me by setting their own place this festive season.”

Donations made to Mary’s Meals before January 31 2023 will be matched by a group of generous supporters, up to £1.5 million, thanks to the Double The Love campaign, meaning that each place set at the online Christmas table will feed two hungry children.

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