Prime Minister Boris Johnson will provide a summer food fund for struggling families in England, bowing to pressure from England forward Marcus Rashford and his campaign to prevent children from going hungry during the coronavirus pandemic.

British ministers originally said school food vouchers would not be available over the long summer holiday, prompting the 22-year-old Manchester United forward to take up the cause and reveal how he had relied on such support as a boy.

Before a debate in parliament, and as some lawmakers from the governing Conservative Party called for a change, Johnson’s spokesman said the government would be providing a COVID summer food fund costing around 120 million pounds ($150 million).

“Owing to the coronavirus pandemic, the prime minister fully understands that children and parents face an entirely unprecedented situation over the summer. To reflect this we will be providing a COVID summer food fund,” his spokesman said.

Rashford used a column in the Times newspaper on Tuesday to argue that while he may not have the education of a lawmaker in parliament, he did have a social education.

He has already helped to raise around 20 million pounds with charity Fareshare UK to supply meals to struggling families.

“I don’t even know what to say,” he said on Twitter of the change in policy. “Just look at what we can do when we come together, THIS is England in 2020.”

The move by the government was met with widespread praise for Rashford from fellow sports stars, politicians and the mayor of London. “Well played, Marcus. Well played,” said former England captain and pundit Gary Lineker on Twitter.

“Good to see Marcus Rashford keeping up his record of scoring on debut in each new competition,” one comment said.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson will provide a summer food fund for struggling families in England, bowing to pressure from England forward Marcus Rashford and his campaign to prevent children from going hungry during the coronavirus pandemic.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson will provide a summer food fund for struggling families in England, bowing to pressure from England forward Marcus Rashford and his campaign to prevent children from going hungry during the coronavirus pandemic. British ministers originally said school food vouchers would not be available over the long summer holiday, prompting the 22-year-old Manchester United forward to take up the cause and reveal how he had relied on such support as a boy. Before a debate in parliament, and as some lawmakers from the governing Conservative Party called for a change, Johnson’s spokesman said the government would be providing a COVID summer food fund costing around 120 million pounds ($150 million). “Owing to the coronavirus pandemic, the prime minister fully understands that children and parents face an entirely unprecedented situation over the summer. To reflect this we will be providing a COVID summer food fund,” his spokesman said. Rashford used a column in the Times newspaper on Tuesday to argue that while he may not have the education of a lawmaker in parliament, he did have a social education. He has already helped to raise around 20 million pounds with charity Fareshare UK to supply meals to struggling families. “I don’t even know what to say,” he said on Twitter of the change in policy. “Just look at what we can do when we come together, THIS is England in 2020.” The move by the government was met with widespread praise for Rashford from fellow sports stars, politicians and the mayor of London. “Well played, Marcus. Well played,” said former England captain and pundit Gary Lineker on Twitter. “Good to see Marcus Rashford keeping up his record of scoring on debut in each new competition,” one comment said.

UK PM Johnson bows to footballer Marcus Rashford's pressure to provide summer food fund

Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford has pleaded with the British government to continue to supply free meals for children in poorer families during the summer holidays in a letter "written from the heart".

Children eligible for free school meals have received food during the coronavirus lockdown, often in the form of vouchers to spend at supermarkets.

About 1.3 million disadvantaged pupils are entitled to free school meals but the scheme in England will not run during the school holiday period, which starts in July.

England international Rashford, who has helped raise around £20 million ($25 million) for FareShare, a charity that fights hunger and food waste, received free meals as a child.

"The government has taken a 'whatever it takes' approach to the economy -- I'm asking you today to extend that same thinking to protecting all vulnerable children across England," he wrote in an open letter to lawmakers.

"I encourage you to hear their pleas and find your humanity. Please reconsider your decision to cancel the food voucher scheme over the summer holiday period and guarantee the extension."

Rashford, 22, added: "As a black man from a low-income family in Wythenshawe, Manchester, I could have been just another statistic.

"Instead, due to the selfless actions of my mum, my family, my neighbours, and my coaches, the only stats I'm associated with are goals, appearances and caps."

Rashford, last week named the fifth most valuable player in Europe, told the BBC the letter was "written from the heart".

"What families are going through now, I've once had to go through that -- and it's very difficult to find a way out. It's very important for me to help people who are struggling," he said.

A spokesman for British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Johnson would respond to the letter.

"He (Rashford) has been using his profile in a positive way to highlight some very important issues," the spokesman said.&nbsp;

"The prime minister understands the issues facing families across the UK, which is why last week the government announced an additional £63 million for local authorities to benefit all families who are struggling to afford food and other basic essentials."

Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford has pleaded with the British government to continue to supply free meals for children in poorer families during the summer holidays in a letter "written from the heart".

Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford has pleaded with the British government to continue to supply free meals for children in poorer families during the summer holidays in a letter "written from the heart". Children eligible for free school meals have received food during the coronavirus lockdown, often in the form of vouchers to spend at supermarkets. About 1.3 million disadvantaged pupils are entitled to free school meals but the scheme in England will not run during the school holiday period, which starts in July. England international Rashford, who has helped raise around £20 million ($25 million) for FareShare, a charity that fights hunger and food waste, received free meals as a child. "The government has taken a 'whatever it takes' approach to the economy -- I'm asking you today to extend that same thinking to protecting all vulnerable children across England," he wrote in an open letter to lawmakers. "I encourage you to hear their pleas and find your humanity. Please reconsider your decision to cancel the food voucher scheme over the summer holiday period and guarantee the extension." Rashford, 22, added: "As a black man from a low-income family in Wythenshawe, Manchester, I could have been just another statistic. "Instead, due to the selfless actions of my mum, my family, my neighbours, and my coaches, the only stats I'm associated with are goals, appearances and caps." Rashford, last week named the fifth most valuable player in Europe, told the BBC the letter was "written from the heart". "What families are going through now, I've once had to go through that -- and it's very difficult to find a way out. It's very important for me to help people who are struggling," he said. A spokesman for British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Johnson would respond to the letter. "He (Rashford) has been using his profile in a positive way to highlight some very important issues," the spokesman said. "The prime minister understands the issues facing families across the UK, which is why last week the government announced an additional £63 million for local authorities to benefit all families who are struggling to afford food and other basic essentials."

Rashford makes emotional plea for rethink on free school meals

Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford is working to get food to children who rely on free school meals after the coronavirus shutdown.

The 22-year-old England international has teamed up with charity FareShare to help children in the Manchester area after schools were closed.

And he revealed that his own childhood had inspired him to want to make a difference to the next generation.

"In the past I have done a lot of work in regards to children and when I heard about the schools shutting down, I knew that meant free meals for some kids that they are not getting at school," Rashford told the BBC.

"I remember when I was at school I was on free meals and my mum wouldn't get home until around six o'clock so my next meal would have been about 8 o'clock. I was fortunate, and there are kids in much more difficult situations that don't get their meals at homes."

Rashford said fundraising had gone well.

"We have got to the £100,000 ($124,000) mark, which means we get to feed 400,000 children so it's been very positive."

Manchester United and Manchester City have joined forces to donate to food banks in the area.

"I think when times are tough it is important that two clubs who have a huge social following that we do come together and make a difference when things which are bigger than football happen. So credit to both clubs," Rashford said.

Rashford was sidelined with a back injury when the Premier League season was suspended earlier this month.

The forward said he was making good progress but admitted he was missing football.

"It's just about patience," he said. "I have been working hard on the bikes and following the programme that I have been given from the club.

"I have been playing FIFA, reading different types of books. It is important to keep time passing, with positive vibes and just keep smiling."

Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford is working to get food to children who rely on free school meals after the coronavirus shutdown. The 22-year-old England international has teamed up with charity FareShare to help children in the Manchester area after schools were closed.

Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford is working to get food to children who rely on free school meals after the coronavirus shutdown. The 22-year-old England international has teamed up with charity FareShare to help children in the Manchester area after schools were closed. And he revealed that his own childhood had inspired him to want to make a difference to the next generation. "In the past I have done a lot of work in regards to children and when I heard about the schools shutting down, I knew that meant free meals for some kids that they are not getting at school," Rashford told the BBC. "I remember when I was at school I was on free meals and my mum wouldn't get home until around six o'clock so my next meal would have been about 8 o'clock. I was fortunate, and there are kids in much more difficult situations that don't get their meals at homes." Rashford said fundraising had gone well. "We have got to the £100,000 ($124,000) mark, which means we get to feed 400,000 children so it's been very positive." Manchester United and Manchester City have joined forces to donate to food banks in the area. "I think when times are tough it is important that two clubs who have a huge social following that we do come together and make a difference when things which are bigger than football happen. So credit to both clubs," Rashford said. Rashford was sidelined with a back injury when the Premier League season was suspended earlier this month. The forward said he was making good progress but admitted he was missing football. "It's just about patience," he said. "I have been working hard on the bikes and following the programme that I have been given from the club. "I have been playing FIFA, reading different types of books. It is important to keep time passing, with positive vibes and just keep smiling."

Marcus Rashford helps feed children during virus shutdown