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NSMW team member Karen Robinson, who will be running the equivalent of five marathons in five days during the week powered only by school meals, is currently in training with her preperation reported to be going well.

Robinson is looking for LACA members and staff and pupils from the schools inolved to join her on the run for a mile or two as she passes through all ten LACA regions and schools which will be acting as fuelling stations along the way.

Incoming LACA chair Tim Blowers said on visiting the NSMW HQ in Chester: “I am delighted at the progress I observed; things are moving along nicely. There is a great deal of planning taking place to coordinate the logistics of ten events in one week, let alone the actual running.

"We are all excited about what is one of the most ambitious and high profile projects LACA NSMW has undertaken and I think the marathons will provide a fantastic platform for positive press messages regarding the value of a nutritious school meal at lunchtime.

"I am also really pleased that the Marathons will help raise awareness, and no doubt funds, for my chosen charity, The British Heart Foundation.”

Big names to have already have joined in the NSMW Host a School Chef project which gives school chefs the opportunity to spend a day working in some of the country’s leading restaurants, includes the Ritz London Hotel and Ritz restaurant.

Also involved are the two Michelin star L’Enclume restaurant and hotel in Cumbria, two Michelin star Raby Hunt Inn and Restaurant near Darlington, Rick Stein’s two Michelin star Seafood Restaurant in Padstow and the Michelin star Walnut Tree in Abergavenny which was voted Wales’ Restaurant of the Year in 2014.

Back for a second year is the #cookeditmyselfie and with it the prize of £500 worth of marketing resources or equipment for the school whose recipe can best win over the judges.

NSMW is this year encouraging parents and children to enter by following the healthy recipes and instruction videos on the NSMW site http://thegreatschoollunch.co.uk/parent-zone/ tweet the end result using #cookeditmyselfie and win the prize for the children’s school.

The NSMW website features resources to give caterers some great ideas to put on themed lunches throughout the week. Posters, menus, letters to parents, letters to head teachers and press release templates to encourage local media to cover the activity, are all available to download in both English and Welsh and are free of charge.

One of the most popular lunches of the week is The Soil Association’s Food for Life’s National Roast Dinner Day which will be held on 15 November. Free resources are available on both the Soil Association and NWMW websites and many schools invite parents and other family members into the school on NRDD to join their children for lunch.