AN INVERKIP man served up a hugely successful tennis ball appeal — to give children living in poverty across the globe a sporting chance.

Michael Lynch, who volunteers with Mary’s Meals, has linked up with tennis clubs to get the used balls they desperately need to put into the charity’s backpacks.

The Scottish organisation feeds one million schoolchildren in countries like Malawi every day but they also hand out backpacks filled with the tools they need for the classroom — and playground.

Michael, 65, who is retired, said: “The children only ever want the tennis ball that comes inside the backpack so that they can play football! It brings them great joy.

“I decided to go round all the tennis clubs and ask if there was any way they could donate balls to us.

“We have had a great response.” In a matter of months the tennis clubs have responded with tens of thousands of balls that are now making their way to Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean.

As a volunteer with Mary’s Meals, Michael helps with the backpack collection — which recently came to Greenock’s Ardgowan Primary — and general tasks at their Glasgow head office.

The regular churchgoer was inspired to volunteer after he saw poverty for himself on visits to the Philipines with his Filipino-born wife Mela, 44.

He said: “Mela grew up in real poverty — she used to stand at the side of the road to get food.

“It is very humbling when you see it for yourself.

“We don’t know we are born in Scotland, we really don’t know what that kind of poverty is like.

“When I retired it made me want to do something to help — there is such a great need out there.” Mary’s Meals relies on the goodwill of volunteers like Michael to help with their global mission.

The charity also gets a tremendous response from local schools and churches for its backpack appeals.

Michael added: “It is so important because the school meal encourages parents to send their children to school.

“It means they have to worry about one less mouth to feed.” AN INVERKIP man served up a hugely successful tennis ball appeal — to give children living in poverty across the globe a sporting chance.

Michael Lynch, who volunteers with Mary’s Meals, has linked up with tennis clubs to get the used balls they desperately need to put into the charity’s backpacks.

The Scottish organisation feeds one million schoolchildren in countries like Malawi every day but they also hand out backpacks filled with the tools they need for the classroom — and playground.

Michael, 65, who is retired, said: “The children only ever want the tennis ball that comes inside the backpack so that they can play football! It brings them great joy.

“I decided to go round all the tennis clubs and ask if there was any way they could donate balls to us.

“We have had a great response.” In a matter of months the tennis clubs have responded with tens of thousands of balls that are now making their way to Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean.

As a volunteer with Mary’s Meals, Michael helps with the backpack collection — which recently came to Greenock’s Ardgowan Primary — and general tasks at their Glasgow head office.

The regular churchgoer was inspired to volunteer after he saw poverty for himself on visits to the Philipines with his Filipino-born wife Mela, 44.

He said: “Mela grew up in real poverty — she used to stand at the side of the road to get food.

“It is very humbling when you see it for yourself.

“We don’t know we are born in Scotland, we really don’t know what that kind of poverty is like.

“When I retired it made me want to do something to help — there is such a great need out there.” Mary’s Meals relies on the goodwill of volunteers like Michael to help with their global mission.

The charity also gets a tremendous response from local schools and churches for its backpack appeals.

Michael added: “It is so important because the school meal encourages parents to send their children to school.

“It means they have to worry about one less mouth to feed.”