The pressure put on by Manchester United's superstar, Marcus Rashford, has resulted in the British government withdrawing from its intention to change its strategy to provide free school meals to the poorest children, in light of fears the impact of the emerging Corona Virus crisis on the income of poor families.
Rushford, who grew up in difficult circumstances, appealed to the government yesterday to continue during the summer vacation period, providing these meals that benefit about 1.3 million children across England.
The government of British Prime Minister Boris Johnson today retracted its basic plan, after the issue sparked widespread controversy in the country, which was embodied by politicians in the Prime Minister's Conservative Party, asking him to keep serving meals.
A spokesman for Johnson said in a press statement today: Because of the pandemic of the emerging Corona virus, the Prime Minister fully understands that children and parents face an absolutely unprecedented situation during the summer.
"Therefore, we will provide a food fund for the summer under (Covid). This will provide food vouchers covering the six-week summer vacation period." Rushford, 22, quickly responded to this on his Twitter account, writing, "I don't know what to say. Just look at what we can do when we cooperate." The English international striker sent a touching message to British officials on Monday, in which he called on them to "protect all vulnerable children across England."
Rushford also published an article yesterday in The Times, in which he confirmed that "ten years ago, I was one of those (children who benefit from food aid), and I know what hunger means."
Children who were eligible for free school meals received food during the total closure imposed by the Coruna virus epidemic during the recent period, and these meals often came in the form of vouchers purchased from food and consumer stores. Rashford, who helped raise about £ 20 million ($ 25 million) for the charity "Versher", which fights hunger and waste, has benefited during his childhood from these free meals.