Marcus Rashford Fights Against Child Poverty

The Covid-19 pandemic has proven to one of dire proportions. Naturally, the priorities have been within the healthcare sector, as preventing the loss lives has been the ultimate priority. Amongst other departments relative to this purpose, another pandemic not only in the UK but a majority in the world, is the economic effects, in particular, poverty and hunger.

On this note, children have been the most vulnerable, because most children from disenfranchised backgrounds rely on school feeding programmes/schemes in order to secure a proper meal for the day.

Manchester United forward, Marcus Rashford, has for several months been working with private sponsors to alleviate child hunger, using his influence and social media in a positive way. In late October, attempted to get the government to sign on a motion that would see to the extension of free school meals to almost more children in the UK, along with taking care of pregnant women on low incomes, as well as the expansion of hunger schemes during the holidays.

Although this was turned down by the government in the House of Commons, he took this initiative on social media.
His aim: extension of free school meals to 1.4 million more UK children, an increase in fresh fruit and vegetable vouchers for pregnant women on low incomes, and an expansion of charity-led holiday hunger schemes.

He is no stranger to hunger and poverty himself, and is not something he wishes to view idly, having elevated his life.
“I know that feeling… I remember the sound of my mum crying herself to sleep to this day, having worked a 14-hour shift, unsure how she was going to make ends meet. That was my reality,” he said.

For several months now, he has been on a mission to end child poverty in his country, and has gained serious momentum. Having gained support from local businesses, restaurants and charitable organizations, as well as his fellow footballing stars, his determination was seen through.
“This is not politics. This is humanity. These children matter. These children are the future of this country. As long as they don’t have a voice, they will have mine,” he said.

Only a few days ago, the government made another u-turn in granting the young footballer/ humanitarian what he has fought tooth and nail for. After the motion was initially rejected, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson agreed to Johnson has reportedly set aside £170 Million ($220m // R3.4 billion) to provide additional support to disadvantaged children over the Christmas period.

“I am so proud of ‘us’ as a collective. ‘Us’ being the local businesses, charity workers, volunteers, teachers, social workers, carers, and key workers. Together we have demonstrated the power of kindness and compassion. We have shown that when it comes down to the wire, we will always have each other,” he said graciously.

Scoring goals is one thing, but scoring lucrative deals to fight help children sleep with on full stomachs is a groundbreaking result that is second to none. Indeed, heroes don’t wear capes!

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Written by Tevin NKS
Edited by Tevin NKS
ISL Publishing