Marcus Rashford hailed a ‘hero’ as free meals bid prompts outpouring of support

Footballer Marcus Rashford has been described as a “hero of our times” after his campaign to provide free meals to children during the school holidays prompted an outpouring of support on social media.

The England and Manchester United striker, 22, posted a string of tweets to his 3.6 million followers on Thursday night and throughout Friday, highlighting cafes, bars, restaurants and other organisations who had volunteered to help children going hungry.

The viral campaign came after MPs rejected a bid from Labour, backed by the footballer, to extend free school meals over the school holidays until Easter 2021.

Liverpool City Council and the Greater Manchester region both announced subsidised food schemes in the wake of Rashford’s campaign, shortly after both areas went into the toughest lockdown tier in England.

Announcing plans for food vouchers via the Co-op, Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham tweeted: “Was good to tell @MarcusRashford that we, his home city-region, aim to be the first in the country to achieve his vision.”

After unveiling a similar scheme in his city, Liverpool mayor Joe Anderson tweeted: “Families are struggling more than ever to make ends meet. No child should have to go hungry and in Liverpool we won’t let them. Thanks for your hard work and campaigning @MarcusRashford.”

A host of celebrities also offered their support to the England star, with journalist Caitlin Moran tweeting: “Marcus Rashford’s timeline swells your heart – people across the country doing something about feeding kids at Christmas.”

Musician Tim Burgess, a fellow Mancunian, tweeted: “Wow, @MarcusRashford is a true hero of our times. So many MPs should feel shame over the fact that a footballer is helping the needy, more than they are.”

Support also came from across the football world, with ex-England striker and Match of the Day host Gary Lineker posting: “Well played @MarcusRashford. Check his timeline. Extraordinary from a remarkable young man.”

Rashford was recently awarded an MBE for campaigning efforts that prompted a Government U-turn on the subject of school meals this summer.

After the enormous response to his latest campaign, he tweeted: “Blown away by news of local businesses stepping up to fill the voucher scheme deficit during the October half term. Selflessness, kindness, togetherness, this is the England I know.

“Add #ENDCHILDFOODPOVERTY to your tweets so I can track them. I will share as many as I can.”

And on Friday night he tweeted: “I’m signing off with a feeling a pride tonight. The superstars of this nation lie in local communities. Even after taking the biggest hits you have wrapped your arms around your community to catch children as they fell. I really can’t thank you enough, you’re amazing”