Marcus Rashford Rallies Communities Across Country To Provide Free Meals Over School Holidays

It's been another fairly standard week for Marcus Rashford.

Last Saturday he was bagging against Newcastle, on Tuesday he scored the winner against Paris Saint Germain, and since returning to British soil he has been working tirelessly to help feed disadvantaged children during half term.

PA

On Thursday, MPs voted against a motion to extend free school meals during the half term break amid the Covid-19 pandemic. But Manchester United and England forward Rashford - or Rashford MBE as we should now call him - did not give up the fight.

As well as mucking in to lend a hand at the FareShare warehouse with his mum, the 22-year-old has also been helming a movement on Twitter.

Using the hashtag #endchildfoodpoverty, he collated pubs, restaurants and cafes across the country that are stepping up to offer free meals during the half term break. After going at it all day yesterday (23 October), Rashford said he was knocking off with a feeling of 'pride'.

Speaking to BBC Newsnight, he said: "Growing up we didn't have a lot, but we always had the safety net of the community. That community was my family. When we stumbled, we were caught with open arms.

"Even at their lowest point, having felt the devastating effects of the pandemic, local businesses have wrapped arms around their communities today, catching vulnerable children as they fell.

"I couldn't be more proud to call myself British tonight. I am truly overwhelmed by the outpouring of support.

"You want to talk about 'celebrities' and 'superstars', look no further than my Twitter feed and that's exactly what you'll find."

He's not wrong either - here's just a handful of places that are helping out:

If you head to his Twitter feed you will find many more.

In Scotland and Wales, governments have extended free meals during school holidays until Easter, while in Northern Ireland they'll be provided over the half-term break this month.

A number of councils in England, including those in Manchester, Birmingham and Liverpool, have also agreed to supply disadvantaged pupils with vouchers. McDonald's is also partnering with FareShare to offer one million free meals.

You can find the businesses, services and organisations offering free meals over the school holidays near you by entering your postcode into this school meal finder.

Topics: Food, UK News, Awesome, Inspirational, Marcus Rashford, Politics

Jake Massey

Jake Massey is a journalist at LADbible. He graduated from Newcastle University, where he learnt a bit about media and a lot about living without heating. After spending a few years in Australia and New Zealand, Jake secured a role at an obscure radio station in Norwich, inadvertently becoming a real-life Alan Partridge in the process. From there, Jake became a reporter at the Eastern Daily Press. Jake enjoys playing football, listening to music and writing about himself in the third person.

@jakesmassey