Manchester United striker Marcus Rashford has issued a powerful plea to the Government to perform a U-turn over their decision not to provide meal vouchers to vulnerable children over the summer.
The England international has campaigned fiercely to feed children in need, helping to raise over £20million with charity FareShare during the coronavirus lockdown.
Now he has called on the Government to act – releasing a heartfelt open letter asking ministers to find their “humanity,” while describing food poverty in England as a pandemic.
Rashford has been open about his own need for free school meal vouchers growing up, as well as his family's use of foodbanks and soup kitchens. He insists those experiences have compelled him to try to make a difference.
“As a Black man from a low-income family in Wythenshawe, Manchester, I could have been just another statistic,” he writes. “Instead, due to the selfless actions of my mum, my family, my neighbours, and my coaches, the only stats I’m associated with are goals, appearances and caps.
“I would be doing myself, my family and my community an injustice if I didn’t stand here today with my voice and my platform and ask you for help.
“The Government has taken a ‘whatever it takes’ approach to the economy – I’m asking you today to extend that same thinking to protecting all vulnerable children across England. I encourage you to hear their pleas and find your humanity.
“Please reconsider your decision to cancel the food voucher scheme over the Summer holiday period and guarantee the extension.”
Free school meals are usually only available during term time, but in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak the scheme was extended over Easter for eligible families.
But the Department for Education say it will not continue during the summer holidays.
That decision has prompted a furious reaction from campaigners – and now Rashford has lent his voice to efforts to pressure the Government into a rethink.
As one of the most famous sports personalities in the country, the 22-year-old is now a role model to millions – and he has hit out at a system that is stacked against families like his.
He added: “Wembley Stadium could be filled more than twice with children who have had to skip meals during lockdown due to their families not being able to access food. (200,000 children according to Food Foundation estimates).
“As their stomachs grumble, I wonder if those 200,000 children will ever be proud enough of their country to pull on the England national team shirt one day and sing the national anthem from the stands.
“My story to get here is all-too-familiar for families in England: my mum worked full-time, earning minimum wage to make sure we always had a good evening meal on the table. But it was not enough. The system was not built for families like mine to succeed, regardless of how hard my mum worked.
“As a family, we relied on breakfast clubs, free school meals, and the kind actions of neighbours and coaches. Food banks and soup kitchens were not alien to us; I recall very clearly our visits to Northern Moor to collect our Christmas dinners every year. It’s only now that I really understand the enormous sacrifice my mum made in sending me away to live in digs aged 11, a decision no mother would ever make lightly.
“This is not about politics; this is about humanity. Looking at ourselves in the mirror and feeling like we did everything we could to protect those who can’t, for whatever reason or circumstance, protect themselves. Political affiliations aside, can we not all agree that no child should be going to bed hungry?
“Food poverty in England is a pandemic that could span generations if we don’t course correct now. Whilst 1.3 million children in England are registered for free school meals, one quarter of these children have not been given any support since the school closures were ordered.
“This is a system failure and without education, we’re encouraging this cycle of hardship to continue.”
Rashford’s work during Covid-19 has helped provide three million meals through FareShare.
His social conscience has earned him widespread praise and his latest effort is further evidence of his remarkable commitment to improve lives.
The letter continues: “During this pandemic, people are existing on a knife’s edge: one missed bill is having a spiral effect, the anxiety and stress of knowing that poverty is the main driver of children ending up in care, a system that is designed to fail low- income families. Do you know how much courage it takes for a grown man to say, ‘I can’t cope’ or ‘I can’t support my family’? Men, women, caregivers, are calling out for our help and we aren’t listening.”
