Businesses step in to say: We’ll feed the young
Cafes and restaurants step forward after MPs reject plea by Rashford
BUSINESSES, CHARITIES and councils in Yorkshire have offered free meals for children after the Government voted against the measure.
Youngsters have been saved from going hungry over half term, as parents struggle to feed their children due to redundancies or because they are ineligible for Government help during the pandemic.
The Labour motion to provide meals during the school holidays, prompted by a campaign by footballer Marcus Rashford, was defeated in the Commons by 261 votes to 322. Rashford highlighted community efforts on Twitter and said he was “blown away” by the support.
CAFES, PUBS and restaurants across Yorkshire have stepped in to offer free meals for schoolchildren during half- term.
It comes after MPs rejected a campaign started by footballer Marcus Rashford.
A vote on the measures was backed by Labour and made its way to Parliament but was defeated by 322 votes to 261.
Now dozens of hospitality businesses in the region have shown they “stand with Rashford, not the 322” by supporting families during the school holidays.
Brother and sister John and Sadie Graves, who run Loft Cafe in Bingley, have offered to feed local children over half- term.
Mr Graves said: “We wanted to offer something to the local community. Why wouldn’t you?”
He said times were very difficult at the moment for cafes but they felt they had a duty to help after the Government voted against the measure.
He added: “I just think it’s wrong. Everything’s wrong in this country.”
In Rotherham, April Gamston, owner of The Marmalade Hut, said she had struggled herself to feed her children as a working mum, which is why she offered to feed hungry children, despite the difficulties with running a cafe during the pandemic.
She said: “It’s penalising the younger ones who can’t feed themselves and rely on adults for support. It’s not on.
“We see a lot of families from the surrounding areas who struggle and we’ve been helped with government schemes so I wanted to take it forward.”
The acts of generosity come amid a difficult time for the hospitality industry, with many business owners struggling to cope with the effects of coronavirus restrictions on their trade.
Rashford, recently awarded an MBE after forcing a Government U- turn on free school meal vouchers over the summer holidays, said he was “blown away” by the offers of support and has been retweeting businesses offering free meals.
“Selflessness, kindness, togetherness, this is the England I know,” the Manchester United footballer tweeted.
“Add # ENDCHILDFOODPOVERTY to your tweets so I can track them. I will share as many as I can.”
Support also came from across the football world, with former England striker and Match of the Day host Gary Lineker posting: “Well played @ MarcusRashford. Check his timeline. Extraordinary from a remarkable young man.”
One of the kind gestures Rashford
praised was that of Ali Waterworth, who offered to use winnings from a football bet to help.
Ms Waterworth – a Manchester United fan – runs Ruddi’s Vintage Treat Rooms cafe at Ruddi’s Retreat in Slaithwaite, near Huddersfield, which is a charity she set up to provide respite holidays for families with seriously ill children, though she is not using any of the charity’s cash to fund the meals.
Ms Waterworth said she decided to take the initiative after a £ 2.50 bet on a football accumulator netted her £ 250.
She said: “It is our duty to help the children. We are in 2020 and I know we are in a pandemic and I know times are really tough but at least I can help. That’s what I wanted to do.”
Downing Street declined to praise the cafes, pubs and restaurants offering free meals.
A Number 10 spokesman, asked repeatedly if the Prime Minister welcomed the offer from businesses and some councils, said: “As we have set out before, we are in a different position now, with schools back open to all and the vast majority of pupils back to school.
“I believe the PM said during PMQs that free school meals will continue during term time and that he wants to continue to support families throughout the crisis so they have cash available to feed kids if they need to.”
Yorkshire MPs praised the work of their constituents and condemned the Government.
Hull West and Hessle MP Emma Hardy said she was “so proud” of businesses for “stepping in where the Government refuses to”.
Her Labour colleague Karl Turner, MP for Hull East, said: “This should never be about right and left. It’s about what’s right and what’s wrong.”
Selflessness, togetherness, kindness... this is the England I know. Manchester United and England star Marcus Rashford yesterday.