From lemonade to life-changing meals
One young fundraiser has been helping to feed children around the world
It’s often said that small actions can lead to big changes, and six-year-old Mary’s Meals supporter, Ethan, from Surrey is living proof of that. Armed with nothing more than a banner, homemade lemonade, and a heart full of generosity, Ethan took a stand last summer to support Mary’s Meals. This is his story...
A little lemonade act of love
After hearing about the work of Mary’s Meals at school, Ethan decided to take action and set up a lemonade stand in his local village to raise funds for children living in some of the world’s poorest communities.
The result? He raised an incredible £67 – enough to feed three children for an entire school year! That’s three young lives changed by one small yet powerful act of love.
Ethan’s mum, Lindsay, couldn’t be prouder. She says: “Ethan made a banner and lots of fresh lemonade to sell. This was very much Ethan's idea, and he told everyone who bought a cup all about Mary's Meals!”
We recently caught up with the inspiring young fundraiser to find out a bit more about why he decided to support Mary’s Meals. Ethan also shared some of his top tips for fundraising in 2025…
Hear from our brilliant young fundraiser!
The ripple effect of small changes
Ethan’s story reminds us that everyone, no matter your age or experience, has the power to make a difference. By turning his enthusiasm into action, Ethan isn't just providing meals for hungry children, he is giving them the hope and opportunity that comes with education.
It costs just 10p a day to feed a child with Mary’s Meals at school, meaning that even small change can have a transformative impact – encouraging children into the classroom and opening the door for them to a brighter future.
The promise of a daily school meal means that 10-year-old Rachel from Zambia can focus on her studies in the classroom and work towards her dream of one day becoming a nurse.
She says: “The porridge helps me not to be hungry, to listen attentively and to concentrate. It also gives me energy to play with my friends!”
At Mary’s Meals, it’s the collective power of little acts of love, like Ethan’s lemonade stand, that make our mission possible. Whether you’re donating, fundraising, or simply spreading the word about our work, every action helps us feed more than 2.4 million children every school day.
Feeling inspired by Ethan’s story? There are so many ways to make a difference. Just £4 provides 40 meals, proving that even the smallest contribution can have a big impact.
Let’s keep the ripple effect going. One child, one meal, one small change at a time.
