Peterborough community breakfast club feeding over 200 kids

The children can choose a piece of fruit, a side snack, a drink and either pancakes or pastries for their breakfast bag

A council-funded breakfast club feeding more than 200 children has been called a "lifeline".

Compass charity, which supports migrant communities across the city in partnership with Peterborough City Council, is running the club every Monday and Friday.

Children living in the Millfield area of Peterborough can access breakfast outside Gladstone Park primary school.

One parent told the BBC: "It's much-needed in this cost of living crisis."

Despite heavy rain, the team gave away breakfast bags to about 190 children who had queued up on Friday.

The project was launched last year after community leaders found children coming to school "eating a packet of crisps or sometimes sharing one or maybe just having an energy drink".

It has grown "significantly" from about 100 children to over 220 pupils.

Parents Have called the breakfast club outside Gladstone Park Primary School a "lifeline".

'Bringing smiles to kids' faces'

Petr Torak, chief executive officer at Compass, said the project had been "appreciated" by both the parents and the school.

He said: "It started as a trial between some communities. But we have received such positive feedback since it launched.

"Head teachers from the schools in the area told us they are seeing a difference in the students - they are concentrating better and the attendance on these days have gone up too.

"We also regularly get donations from other charity hubs that provide baby products or other essentials and we put them out for parents to take away."

Some parents told the BBC that "children wake them up early to got to school on Mondays and Fridays".

One father said he was "surprised to see the help available for families" and that it "puts a smile on his daughter's face".

Petr Torak (right), along with the staff at Compass Charity, are hopeful they can continue the breakfast club next year as well

Mr Torak said the breakfast club scheme returned only a few weeks ago as lunch provisions were in place for the students during summer.

The funding available will help keep the club running until March.

But Mr Torak said: "The impact of this on the community is too huge and we are hopeful that we will find a way to keep it going.

"It has encouraged community involvement and it's great to see parents helping us out some days."

The lunch club will take a break during the upcoming half term but is preparing for a special "Halloween themed breakfast for children next week."

Meanwhile, support will continue for eligible families during the half term, as Peterborough City Council will provide supermarket vouchers for the October school holidays.