Manchester United player Marcus Rashford forced the British government to extend aid to disadvantaged children on June 16, 2020. - OLI SCARFF / AFP

After forcing the British government to flip-flop on a financial aid program for disadvantaged children, Marcus Rashford promised Wednesday that he would continue his commitment to this cause. Tuesday, under pressure from the campaign led by the Manchester United player, the British government had decided to extend over the summer a program of providing free meals to disadvantaged children set up during confinement to offset the closure of the schools and their canteens.

“I spoke to Marcus Rashford today and congratulated him on his campaign (…) I thank him for what he did. I think he is right to draw attention to this problem, "even Prime Minister Boris Johnson said during a press conference.

Marcus Rashford fights for the needy to have food https://t.co/7wwr4qS61t

- 20 Minutes (@ 20Minutes) June 15, 2020

Rashford said Wednesday "grateful" for the release of a food fund in the amount of about 120 million pounds (133 million euros) which will hold until the start of the school year and the planned reopening of educational institutions. But "I don't want this to be the end (of my engagement), because other measures have to be taken," he told the BBC.

"People struggle all year round (for food), so we need to better understand their situation and how to best help them," he added. His "victory" against the government has in any case delighted the English press, even that which usually unconditionally supports the government.

🗣 to all MPs pic.twitter.com/Dc4weMvTHN

- Marcus Rashford (@MarcusRashford) June 16, 2020

" Results ! "Proclaimed The Sun while the Daily Star even suggested" Rashers (the nickname of Rashford) Prime Minister! " Himself from a low-income family who has often depended on various food aids, Marcus Rashford embraced this cause at the very beginning of confinement, when football players were criticized by the government because they refused to lower their wages.

He notably raised some 22 million euros in food and financial donations which should allow 3 million meals to be served to disadvantaged families, with the FareShare association which fights against food waste and malnutrition.

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England: Marcus Rashford Bends Boris Johnson About Disadvantaged Children

  • Coronavirus
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