DEAN Hoyle has announced a plan to feed hundreds of hungry children in the town.

The Huddersfield Town chairman launched a new charity at a special event yesterday.

The Huddersfield Town Foundation aims to provide free breakfasts to up to 1,000 needy children in the area.

Mr Hoyle told guests at North Huddersfield Trust School that he had been inspired to act after meeting a deprived teenager in a school in the town.

“He came to the school as a five-year-old and had only 50% attendance,” said the Town chairman.

“The school found out that he was a carer for his mother. He went to school when he could.

“They lived not too far from the Galpharm and she was on drugs. There was no electricity in the house.

“He was taken into care and then his father turned up and took him in. Three or four weeks later he dropped the boy off at the school and said he didn’t want to see his son again.

“I put his address into my satnav and found out that the lad lived 2.6 miles from where I live in Mirfield – the contrast between our lives couldn’t be more marked.

“I didn’t even realise things like this go on and thought I would try to help.”

Mr Hoyle announced that the new foundation would set up breakfast clubs across the town.

The new charity hopes to feed 50 children each at 20 schools for the 39 school weeks of the year – a total of 195,000 breakfasts annually.

Mr Hoyle drew applause when he told the business people gathered in North Huddersfield Trust School that he would put his own money into the new venture.

“I will match every pound you donate – I believe in this so much,” he said.

“If we can provide children with three of their five a day it will improve attendance and we can make a huge difference on the frontline.”

The foundation has already won the backing of Kirklees Council, Kirklees College, Polar Ford, Caterers’ Choice, Total Food Services and Kids Premiership.

Town commercial director Sean Jarvis told the audience at North Huddersfield Trust School about the scale of the problem of undernourishment.

“Two children in every classroom are going hungry,” he said.

“We’re looking to provide nearly 200,000 breakfasts so we’re thinking big.”

Mr Jarvis explained that the club would pay for staff needed to run the foundation – meaning 100% of contributions would go towards providing breakfasts.

He added: “We’re going to dedicate a game this season to the foundation while will involve the children coming down to the stadium and having a great day.”

Details of the schools involved in the breakfast club initiative will be revealed later.

The foundation aims to follow up its Early Kick-off programme with a project to encourage young people to read more.

For more information visit www.htafcfoundation.com.