Manchester United star Marcus Rashford has brought together some food brand giants to combat child poverty in the UK.
The 22-year-old was widely praised when he helped to feed thousands of children in England during the COVID-19 lockdown period.
The striker is now aiming to take it a step further by forming a taskforce of food brands to feed vulnerable children.
His taskforce to tackle child food poverty includes the likes of Aldi, Asda, Co-op, FareShare, Food Foundation, Kellogg’s, Lidl, Sainsbury’s, Tesco and Waitrose.
In an open letter to the government, Rashford said: “Within two days of sitting with these families, I could better understand how food poverty is contributing to social unrest.
“Watching a young boy keeping it together whilst his mother sobbed alongside him, feeling like he has to step up to protect his family and alleviate some of that worry. He was nine-years-old.
Marcus Rashford unites food industry to fight child poverty https://t.co/BQT8rxIsk8
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“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.
He added: “That was my reality and thankfully I had the talent to kick a ball around to pull us all out of that situation. Many can’t find that way out and aren’t being offered a helping hand to do so.
“Those most at risk aren’t in a position and don’t have the platform to scream help from the top of the rooftops but, for those ready to speak, my intention is to offer them the platform to do so, and for those who aren’t, I will continue to be their voice and act on their behalf.”
Rashford was on Monday withdrawn from England’s squad for the upcoming UEFA Nations League games against Iceland and Denmark due to an ankle injury.
