Hero teacher’s trusty trolley breaks during his last school meal delivery
ZANE Powles’ trusty trolley, which has been pulled for more than 900 miles, broke during what is hoped to be his last ever meal delivery.
The assistant headteacher at Western Primary School, in Grimsby, has been walking around five miles every day throughout the lockdowns to deliver free school meals to vulnerable children.
In total, he has made about 15,000 deliveries, walked more than 900 miles and carried a massive five tonnes since the pandemic began in March last year.
But, on Friday, on what is hoped to be his last ever school meal delivery, his iconic red trolley broke.
Zane said on Twitter: “On my last day of deliveries … the trolley has decided enough is enough.” Despite losing two wheels to his trolley, Zane managed to finish his deliveries – and has shared his excitement for his return to school today.
He added: “Deliveries finished. Every mile walked, kilograms carried, and meal delivered, it has easily been worth all the pain and hard work.
“Like all teachers, I am so happy that the kids are back on Monday.
“What I hope has come out of this, is that we may be teachers in name but actually we are far more than that.
“We always have and always will be.
“A big well done for all teachers and school staff, you have been immense.” Zane joined the fight to End Child Food Poverty alongside Manchester United footballer Marcus Rashford.
He caught the attention of Marcus, who personally thanked him for supporting Grimsby and Cleethorpes’ schoolchildren. Marcus tweeted: “You’re amazing Zane – thank you for everything you do. Your families would be lost without you.” Marcus, 22, has been campaigning for free school meals for children throughout the Covid-19 pandemic and has helped to raise about £20 million for charity in recent weeks.
Zane has thanked him for his work too, saying: “For him to actually use his platform and to use his background which wasn’t the greatest to change government policy for the children, it’s just something else. What a guy.”
THE Government has tried to give NHS staff “as much as we possibly can” after recommending a 1% pay rise, the Prime Minister said, as protests were held across the country over the move. The proposal has come under fire from unions and has sparked talk of industrial action.
An Opinium poll suggested as much as 72% of the population think the wage recommendation is too low, including 58% of Tory voters. Boris Johnson defended the decision, however. He said: “What we have done is try to give them as much as we can at the present time. The independent pay review body will obviously look at what we’ve proposed and come back. Don’t forget that there has been a public sector pay freeze, we’re in pretty tough times.”
Royal College of Nursing chief Dame Donna Kinnair accused Mr Johnson of “failing to understand the situation” and said his pay defence would lead to nurses leaving the profession. A demonstration in Manchester against the plan attracted about 40 people, according to police. It resulted in the arrest and fining of a 65-year-old woman, while the organiser faces a £10,000 fixed penalty notice for breaking lockdown rules.