United Kingdom Prime Minister Boris Johnson has joined host of football clubs and footballers to commend Marcus Rashford’s successful campaign to extend the children’s food voucher scheme into the summer holidays.
Johnson on Monday rejected a plea from England international Rashford for children who qualified for the food voucher scheme during the coronavirus lockdown to carry on receiving them after the academic year ends.
But Rashford’s open letter to MPs resulted in a Government U-turn on Tuesday.
#maketheUturn
— Marcus Rashford (@MarcusRashford) June 16, 2020
Thank you for offering your platform for me to speak @thetimes pic.twitter.com/xvy4TRrxE6
This has made the Manchester United striker to earn praises from teammates, football clubs and sports stars after the UK Government announced a one-off £120 million fund which will benefit some 1.3 million children in England over the six-week summer period.
In Tuesday’s coronavirus press conference, Prime Minister Johnson said he had spoken to Rashford to “congratulate him” on his campaign, adding: “I thank him for what he’s done.”
Rashford’s club also tweeted: “A hero. An inspiration. One of our own. We are so proud of you, @MarcusRashford.”
A hero. An inspiration. One of our own.
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) June 16, 2020
We are so proud of you, @MarcusRashford ❤️ pic.twitter.com/haAb0m2I4u
But local rivals also took to social media to praise the young Englishman’s work.
Manchester City tweeted: “Fantastic work @MarcusRashford, making Manchester proud.”
Fantastic work @MarcusRashford, making Manchester proud 👏 https://t.co/b3MfszHzxf
— Manchester City (@ManCity) June 16, 2020
Down the M62, Liverpool also complimented Rashford, posting: “Children in our region will benefit because of the actions of this remarkable role model.
“From Liverpool With Love.”
Children in our region will benefit because of the actions of this remarkable role model ❤️
— Liverpool FC (at 🏠) (@LFC) June 16, 2020
From Liverpool With Love. https://t.co/mSatwzZZ2E
Tottenham’s official account posted: “Amazing work, @MarcusRashford. This will make a huge difference to so many young people across our communities.”
Amazing work, @MarcusRashford. 👏 This will make a huge difference to so many young people across our communities. https://t.co/YoF0R2H0kE
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) June 16, 2020
Former England striker Gary Lineker praised Rashford for his “extraordinary campaign and win”, posting: “Great to see @ManUtd’s number 10 changing policy at number 10.”
Great to see @ManUtd’s number 10 changing policy at number 10. Extraordinary campaign and win for the brilliant @MarcusRashford
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) June 16, 2020
The Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) described Rashford’s work as an “amazing achievement”.
The government is extending its free school meal voucher scheme, following a campaign by @MarcusRashford.
— Professional Footballers' Association (@PFA) June 16, 2020
An extra £120m to be spent on vouchers throughout the summer!
An amazing achievement! Well done, Marcus #maketheUturn pic.twitter.com/YuDOlPNxwJ
One of his current team-mates, Harry Maguire said his efforts were “top class”.
Top class 👏👏
— Harry Maguire (@HarryMaguire93) June 16, 2020
