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Manchester United striker Marcus Rashford has received a huge wave of support from the UK public with his campaign to ensure free meals for children in poverty.
Far from letting his success on the pitch go to his head, the 22-year-old England forward has not forgotten his own roots in a deprived area of Manchester, when his family relied on receiving free school meals.
Rashford has said he has been "blown away" by support from businesses offering support for his free school meals campaign after politicians in the UK parliament voted against providing them during holiday periods including Christmas.
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A government petition created by Rashford has more than a million signatures.
What is the aim?
To ensure free school meals out of term time for children in poverty.
Who is Marcus Rashford?
A home-grown Manchester United player, Marcus Rashford is from the Wythenshawe area of Greater Manchester, and joined the academy system at United when he was aged seven. He was given his debut by manager Louis van Gaal in the Premier League against Watford, in 2015, and has gone on to become a regular in the first team as well as play 40 times for England.
How did Rashford become involved?
Rashford has been campaigning to help vulnerable children by providing them with free school meals when on holiday during the COVID-19 crisis. He was awarded an MBE, in the Queen's honor's list for his efforts and ensured a government U-turn in July to ensure kids had free meals during the summer holidays.
Marcus Rashford received free school meals himself when he was growing up. Michael Regan/Getty
How has he delivered the campaign?
As well as using his social media profile, the Manchester United player has submitted a petition to parliament seeking an end to child food poverty. It asks for the government to expand free school meals during holiday periods. When the government turned down a proposal to extend free school meals out of term time, Rashford went to businesses and local authorities to ask for their support in providing food.
What does the government say?
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said that children going hungry during school holidays was a problem but said there was a debate over how to tackle it. He said that the government will "do everything in our power to make sure no kid, no child goes hungry this winter during the holidays."
What has been the reaction of the public?
Rashford has had backing from businesses, local authorities and other prominent figures in football. He urged willing helpers to tweet using the hashtag #endchildfoodpoverty and said he would get in touch with them. Offers to provide food have come from small sandwich shops, to large supermarket and restaurant chains like McDonald's.
Source(s): Reuters
