Rashford grateful British government will provide summer food vouchers

Marcus Rashford said he was grateful that the British government would provide school food vouchers for struggling families over the summer holidays.

Published : Jun 17, 2020 13:18 IST , London

Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford had written an open letter to all of Britain’s lawmakers on Sunday, describing how, as one of five children of a hard-working single mother, “we relied on breakfast clubs, free school meals, and the kind actions of neighbors and coaches.”
Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford had written an open letter to all of Britain’s lawmakers on Sunday, describing how, as one of five children of a hard-working single mother, “we relied on breakfast clubs, free school meals, and the kind actions of neighbors and coaches.”
lightbox-info

Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford had written an open letter to all of Britain’s lawmakers on Sunday, describing how, as one of five children of a hard-working single mother, “we relied on breakfast clubs, free school meals, and the kind actions of neighbors and coaches.”

Marcus Rashford said he was grateful that the British government would provide school food vouchers for struggling families over the summer holidays after the Manchester United striker campaigned for the aid to be extended.

“I am grateful that the prime minister did change his decision,” Rashford, who said he spoke with Prime Minister Boris Johnson on the phone, told the BBC on Tuesday.

He added that the prime minister thanked him “for using what I've built in a positive manner”.

“He was just grateful that someone had an opinion and shared it with people,” Rashford said.

READ: Marcus Rashford wants kids' food vouchers to continue

“Being that voice for people who didn't really have the platform to speak out as much as they would like to.”

British ministers originally said school food vouchers would not be available over the long holiday, prompting the 22-year-old Manchester United forward to take up the cause and reveal how he had relied on such support as a boy.

Johnsons spokesman said on Tuesday the government would be providing a COVID summer food fund costing around 120 million pounds ($150 million).

Rashford has already helped to raise around 20 million pounds with charity Fareshare UK to supply meals to struggling families.

“I don't even know what to say,” he said on Twitter of the change in policy.

“Just look at what we can do when we come together, THIS is England in 2020.”

Joint-favourite for BBC award

Rashford emerged as the bookmakers’ joint-favourite to win Britain’s sports personality of the year award after his successful campaign for school food vouchers to be provided over the summer holidays.

Rashford’s efforts have seen his odds of 80/1 cut to 6/4, making him the joint-favourite for the BBC award alongside WBC heavyweight champion boxer Tyson Fury, according to bookmaker Paddy Power .

Rashford has already helped to raise around GBP 20 million with charity Fareshare UK to supply meals to struggling families.

Other contenders for the award, voted for by the public in December, include Mercedes Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton and Liverpool skipper Jordan Henderson who are both at 12/1.

Cricketer Ben Stokes won the award last year for his 50-over World Cup-winning heroics and Ashes displays against Australia.

Sign in to unlock all user benefits
  • Get notified on top games and events
  • Save stories to read later
  • Access to comment on every story
  • Sign up / manage to our newsletters with a single click
  • Get notified by email for early bird access to discounts & offers to our products
Sign in

Comments

Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide to our community guidelines for posting your comment