Marcus Rashford made MBE for campaign to end child poverty amid coronavirus pandemic – Mirror Online

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Marcus Rashford has stepped up the fight to end child food poverty after being awarded an MBE for his campaigning.

The Manchester United and England star responded to his gong, announced in the Queen’s delayed Birthday Honours,  by demanding that Prime Minister Boris Johnson extends the free school meals scheme.

Rashford, 22, is determined to use the award to drive his work in setting up a child food poverty task force and said: “The fight to protect our most vulnerable children is far from over.

“I would be doing my community, and the families I have met and spoken with, an injustice if I didn’t use this opportunity to respectfully urge the Prime Minister to support our children during the October half-term with an extension of the voucher scheme, as the furlough scheme comes to an end and we face increased unemployment.

“Another sticking plaster, but one that will give the parents of millions of children in the UK just one less thing to worry about.

“Let’s stand together in saying that no children in the UK should be going to bed hungry. As I have said many times before, no matter your feeling or opinion, not having access to food is never the child’s fault.”

Rashford became a national hero after he successfully lobbied the Government into a U-turn over its free school meals policy during lockdown, ensuring children in need would receive meals across the summer.

He has spoken of his own childhood when his mum Melanie went hungry so she could feed her children and he paid tribute to her after the Prime Minister recommended him for the MBE.

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“I’m incredibly honoured and humbled. As a young black man from Wythenshawe, never did I think I would be accepting an MBE, never mind an MBE at the age of 22.

“This is a very special moment for myself and my family, but particularly my mum who is the real deserving recipient of the honour.”

Rashford headed up the list of sporting gongs along with Brendan Foster, 72, has been awarded a knighthood for services to international and national sport and culture in north-east England.

Rugby union in Wales has reason to celebrate after former coach Warren Gatland is awarded a CBE, captain Alun Wyn Jones is  made an OBE for services to  the game and 100-cap Gareth Thomas has been awarded a CBE for services to sport and health.