Three Lions

English Football can be beautiful, but it can also be ugly.

Following England toppling out at the last moment of Euro 2020, some "football fans" showed their ugly side.

Many will now have heard of the racist abuse directed at Marcus Rashford, Bukayo Saka and Jadon Sancho.

Why do England "fans" do this?

You have twenty-two men representing your country to the best of their ability, facing the spotlight and winning time and again in real style.

Then the minute they lose you unleash the ugliest side of yourself to attack them anonymously online.

Why aren't we past this?

Rashford, Saka and Sancho are now the three lions of English football in my mind, standing up against the basest English instinct and representing a diverse and beautiful England full of colour and diversity.

Continue to roar guys.

Marcus Rashford MBE petition hits 1 million

The petition to end child poverty started by Marcus Rashford's food foundation has hit 1 million signatures.

They are bringing growing pressure on the government to U-turn on the decision to vote against free school meals.

Anna Taylor, Executive Director of the Food Foundation said: "The petition shows just how many citizens want a lasting solution to child hunger.  

The Government must act without delay and implement the three recommendations in the National Food Strategy."

A number of establishments have already banned prominent Conservative MPs from their businesses for voting against the proposed bill to provide meals over the half-term.

Over 1000 organisations have also registered on the www.kidsmealsmap.co.uk designed to support families and show the businesses, local authorities and  community organisations who are providing free meals to vulnerable children over the October half term.  

The Food Foundation are also hoping that MP’s use it as an opportunity to visit projects in their local area who are on the front line in food provision to the most vulnerable families.

Link to petition: here

For the original article on this petition click here.

Marcus Rashford MBE launches petition on child food poverty

Marcus Rashford MBE, the Manchester United England International Footballer has today launched a Parliamentary Petition, calling on the General Public to pledge support to #endchildfoodpoverty. 

He has petitioned the government once before to U-turn on their decision to withdraw free school meals vouchers over the summer.

Marcus Rashford said: “Child food poverty in the UK is not a result of COVID-19.

In 2020, no child in the UK should be going to bed hungry, nor should they be sat in classrooms concerned about how their younger siblings are going to eat that day.”

He is asking for the government to commission three vital recommendations from the Government commissioned National Food Strategy:

Expansion of free school meals to every child from a household on Universal Credit or equivalent, reaching an additional 1.5 million 7-16 year olds.

Expansion of holiday provision (food and activities) to support all children on free school meals, reaching an additional 1.1 million children.

Increasing the value of the Healthy Start vouchers to £4.25 per week (from £3.10) and expanding into all those on Universal Credit or equivalent, reaching an additional 290,000 pregnant women and children under the age of four.

The #endchildfoodpoverty campaign is supported by the Child Food Poverty Task Force which was formed by Marcus Rashford, a further 20 charities and key names in the food industry. 

Data released by the Food Foundation today reveals 18% of 8-17 year olds (1.4 million children) reported experiences of food insecurity over the summer holidays.

6.3% of children said they were worried about going hungry during the October half term.

Rising numbers of families are struggling with an 11% (850,000) of children aged 8-17 reporting that either they or their families had visited a foodbank in the summer holidays.  This was over 60% higher in non–white British ethnic groups.

Link to petition here.