Marcus Rashford ups the ante: Campaigning footballer highlights firms stepping in to feed schoolchildren

Manchester United forward spearheading campaign to give youngsters free lunches over school holidays

Manchester United and England footballer Marcus Rashford. AFP

Marcus Rashford has been made an MBE for services to vulnerable children in the UK during the coronavirus pandemic.. AFP

Manchester United and England footballer Marcus Rashford had successfully lobbied the UK government into a U-turn over its free school meals policy during lockdown. Reuters

Marcus Rashford vowed to continue fighting to protect the most vulnerable children.. AFP

Manchester United and England footballer Marcus Rashford. Reuters

Manchester United and England footballer Marcus Rashford. Reuters

Manchester United and England footballer Marcus Rashford. Reuters

Manchester United and England footballer Marcus Rashford has used his considerable social media following to highlight local businesses offering free lunches to schoolchildren in need, after the government snubbed his plan to ensure no youngster went hungry over the holidays.

Parliament voted against a Labour Party motion to extend offering free school meals into the half-term and Christmas holidays following a campaign by Mr Rashford.

Dozens of businesses and local councils around the country have stepped in to provide food, with Mr Rashford raising awareness via his Twitter page, which has 3.5 million followers. More than 1.4 million children reportedly benefit from free schools meals.

"Blown away by news of local businesses stepping up to fill the voucher scheme deficit during the October half term," Mr Rashford tweeted, sharing screenshots of messages from restaurants across Britain.

"Selflessness, kindness, togetherness, this is the England I know."

It came a day after he visited a new depot named after his mother and run by the charity FareShare, which works to get rid of food poverty.

“The real superstars in this country can be found in the heart of most cities, towns and villages, working tirelessly to support our most vulnerable across the UK,” he said.

“As FareShare and other food-related charities approach one of the toughest winters on record, with demand higher than ever before, it is important that I stay connected and lend my support wherever it is needed.

“When we stumble, there will always be a community to wrap their arms around us and pick us back up,” he said.

Mr Rashford has been widely praised for his campaign to help vulnerable children during the Covid-19 crisis and was awarded an MBE in the Queen’s Honours List for his work.

After MPs rejected the Labour Party motion on Wednesday, the footballer pledged to not back down.

“These children matter. These children are the future of this country. They are not just another statistic. And for as long as they don’t have a voice, they will have mine. You have my word on that.”