FOOTBALL STAR’S SHOUTOUT FOR ‘BRILLIANT’ RESTAURANT
Marcus Rashford shares restaurant’s free meals offer to 3.5m followers
FOOTBALLER and campaigner Marcus Rashford has praised a North Staffordshire restaurant’s pledge to stop people going hungry.
Pabna, in Leek, has offered to help anyone that is struggling to feed their family during the coronavirus pandemic. Their post on Facebook was liked and shared across social media, and was then picked up by Manchester United and England star Rashford – recently awarded an MBE – who has been campaigning to get the Government to provide food vouchers during all school holidays in England.
He then tweeted Pabna’s post to his 3,583,000-plus followers, giving a shout out to the town of Leek. His tweet had received 10.5k ‘likes’ by 3pm on Friday.
Ruhel Ali, spokesman for family business Pabna, in Ashbourne Road, said he was delighted by the reaction. The 29-year-old, below, said: “Everyone knows what is going on at the moment. Times are tough and we as a family are in a privileged position. We want to help people that aren’t as fortunate as us.
“Our dad opened the restaurant 23 years ago and myself and my brothers have come into it. We are all a big family. If there is anything we can do to help people who need it, we will be there for them.
“It’s unbelievable that Marcus has tweeted about us. Half the family are Man United fans and we have been following his campaign. It makes us feel privileged to be part of it.” Pabna’s Facebook post read: “We are now a solid seven months into this pandemic and the country has officially been put into recession.
“If anyone is not working, not getting paid, has had their hours cut and runs out of food or necessities, or times are just tough, please don’t you or your kids go to sleep on an empty stomach.
“Don’t be afraid or embarrassed to send us a private message. We will do anything we can to help.
“It may simply be a case of dropping off a food parcel and leaving.
“No one has to know.”
It is not the first time Pabna has offered to help since the Covid-19 outbreak. Back in March, as the country went into lockdown, Ruhel and the team urged anyone who could not feed their children to get in touch.
Their most recent gesture has received a huge reaction from the restaurant’s customers.
Dave Beech-lewy commented: “Absolutely fantastic idea, wish more people did the same. Thank you Pabna, you’re a credit to Leek.”
Anne Corden posted: “Brilliant offer of kindness to anyone experiencing hardship.
“Amazing team at Pabna, our favourite restaurant and takeaway.”