HarperCollins set to publish the extraordinary story of Mary’s Meals

As Mary’s Meals moves towards the milestone of feeding one million children every school day, publisher HarperCollins is set to release a book charting the charity’s remarkable journey so far, written by our founder and CEO Magnus MacFarlane-Barrow.

And, as part of the lead-up to the publication date in May, Mary’s Meals is seeking to recruit a group of enthusiastic volunteers to form our Book Launch Team.

From a small shed in Dalmally, Argyll in 1992, Magnus asked for donations of aid for a one-off trip to war-torn Bosnia-Herzegovina.

What happened in the weeks, months and years that followed not only surprised him, but inspired tens of thousands of people across the world to join a movement that could one day mark the end of child hunger.

Read about the early years of Scottish International Relief, the charity our work grew out of, as it responded to humanitarian crises from Romania to Liberia.

And meet the people who inspired the birth of Mary’s Meals, including Edward, the young boy from Malawi whose words – “I want to have enough food to eat and to go to school one day” – so resonated with Magnus at the height of that country’s 2002 famine.

With stories sure to make readers laugh, smile and cry, the book’s launch will, we hope, coincide with our celebrations as Mary’s Meals reaches its first million – a feat which would simply not be possible without the incredible generosity of our supporters around the world.

The book will be published in the UK, Ireland and Commonwealth on 21st May by William Collins, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers, and in the USA on 26th May by HarperCollins 360.

Apply to join our Book Launch Team

Volunteers interested in joining our Book Launch Team can apply via the Mary’s Meals Facebook page, by telling us what you can do to help promote the book’s publication.

Members of the Book Launch Team will receive an early edition of the book and will be asked to raise awareness of it in their local communities, promote the book on social media, and review it on the Amazon and Goodreads websites.

We’ll also stay in touch with you regularly in the run-up to the launch, offering special online Q&A sessions with Magnus, keeping you updated on the book’s progress, and letting you know about other great ways you can get involved with the book launch.

To apply to join the Book Launch Team, please complete the online application form on our Facebook page before Wednesday 1st April. We look forward to hearing from you!