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By Hayley Pearson

Just five kilometres out of Adelaide’s CBD, kids are going to school hungry. They’re sleeping in cars, wearing their uniform as pyjamas and going without breakfast. Every. Single. Day.

Five kilometres out of the city, there are kids living in third world conditions. They’re getting into fights at school, experiencing severe learning difficulties and dropping out of the education system. This all stems from not eating. Remember how you feel when you don’t eat breakfast? You’re irritable, you can’t concentrate. You’re HANGRY! Just ask my husband what I’m like when I haven’t eaten, #THEHULK.

A few years ago, when working at SAFM, Lauren and I found out about Kick Start For Kids. Back then, it was created and run by an amazing guy, Ian Steele, who would drive around in his ute, delivering breakfast to a handful of primary schools in Adelaide.

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We were so touched by his story and felt incredibly ignorant that none of us knew this was happening, so close to our doorstep. So together with our listeners, we raised almost $300,000 for Kick Start for Kids. This was probably the proudest moment I’ve had in my twelve years working in radio. Ian Steele and his team at Kick Start For Kids now serve around 1.4 million breakfasts annually to SA children who would otherwise go without during the school year.

This Xmas, 37,500 kids in our own backyard will go without a full belly and presents. This breaks my heart. It’s not fair.


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Kick Start for Kids have teamed up with Statewide to create the #KickstartGratitude campaign.

Together we’re encouraging you to express gratitude for the positive aspects of our lives through action – in this case, by donating Xmas gifts for Kickstart for Kids to distribute among kids who don’t expect to receive one.

You can donate to Kick Start for Kids HERE or, get into National Pharmacies or Statewide in Victoria Square, and drop off a wrapped Christmas gift (label it boy or girl), and Ian and his team will deliver the gifts to the not so lucky children of Adelaide this Xmas.

This is a charity very close to Lauren and my hearts and we’d love you to help out, where you can. We know times are tough, but they are extra tough for these kids. If you’re planning on “giving” this year, give to these beautiful South Australian kids. They’ll be ever so grateful…

We have until December 12 to drop off our gifts.

Hayley x

What are you grateful for?

Hayley Pearson

Hayley Pearson

Co-Creator and Writer for Adelady, she still gets goosebumps that she’s combined her creative passion with sharing the best of her stunning home state.

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