Schoolchildren in Budleigh Salterton got a little extra this half term, thanks to a local community interest company.

Launchpad, which has premises within the town’s community health and wellbeing hub in Budleigh, produced nearly 200 nutritious meals for children at St Peter’s school – one complete meal per child per day.

Each meal included fresh fruit and homemade cake, during the half term holiday.

Launchpad, a day service training adults with learning disabilities in employment skills, has adapted to offer homemade frozen meals for delivery in the Budleigh area since the start of the first lockdown.

Carole Brown, Launchpad’s managing director, said, “We were approached by Phill Lee, the deputy headteacher at St Peter’s school, to ask if we would be able to make meals for the children at the school who would normally receive free school meals.

“We are so pleased to be able to do this for the community in which we work and which supports us when our cafes are open.”

Mr Lee said: "During the recent lockdown, Launchpad has supported lots of families who have children who attend St Peter's C of E Primary School.

“Initially, Launchpad helped us respond to the sudden lockdown and provide meals to families - this provided us with time to develop our term time food provision.

“Most recently, Launchpad has provided nearly 200 delicious and nutritious meals during the half-term.

“We are extremely grateful to them and would like to invite the community to support Launchpad in any way that they can."

This act of kindness came after Budleigh café the Gingerbread House announced it was creating food parcels for families struggling to feed their children who are learning at home during lockdown.

In better times Launchpad runs the café at the health and wellbeing hub and Wesley’s community space and café at the Methodist Church Hall in Fore Street.

Launchpad continues to offer a range of home-made frozen meals for delivery in the Budleigh and Exmouth area.

For more information, visit www.launchpadsw.org, our go to their Facebook page or ring 07947 180173.