Since launching his campaign to end child food poverty, Manchester United star Marcus Rashford has changed government policy, won an honorary doctorate from the University of Manchester, appeared on the cover of Vogue, and been appointedan MBE.
But his work is only just beginning.
Rashford’s mission to end child food poverty – which began in March after successfully reversing the government’s decision to halt free school meals during lockdown – has raised millions for youngsters nationwide.
A taskforce has also been assembled – starring some of Britain’s biggest supermarkets and delivery brands like Deliveroo.
But this week, the campaign is moving up another gear.
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Rashford has created a petition asking for the government to “expand access to Free School Meals, provide meals and activities during the holidays, and increase the value of and expand the Healthy Start scheme.”
Remember when I said I was going to need your help…
For the millions who do not have the platform to be heard.
“Remember when I said I was going to need your help… ” Rashford reminded social media followers.
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“For the millions who do not have the platform to be heard. Let’s stand as a ‘United’ Kingdom to #endchildfoodpoverty.”
The petition, which requires 100,000 signatures to be debated in the House of Commons, argues that the “Government should ensure children don’t pay the price” of COVID-19.
According to Rashford, 14% of parents and 10% of children have experienced food insecurity over the past six months, with 32% of families losing income as a result of the pandemic.
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The footballer also warns that demand for food banks this winter is predicted to be 61% higher than last.
Rashford writes: “With the Child Food Poverty Taskforce, I am calling for Government to allocate money to:
Expand free school meals to all under-16s where a parent or guardian is in receipt of Universal Credit or equivalent benefit
Provide meals & activities during all holidays
Increase the value of Healthy Start vouchers to at least £4.25 per week, and expand the scheme.
The footballer also says that time is of the essence.
“These three recommendations must be implemented without delay.”
You can show your support and sign the petition here.
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Three men jailed after armed robbery in Trafford left teenage boy with ‘serious injuries’
Emily Sergeant
Three men have been jailed after an armed robbery and stabbing left in Trafford left a teenage boy with ‘serious injuries’.
The incident in question occurred shortly after 3am on Sunday 27 November 2022, when a 15-year-old boy – the victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons – was at a cash machine on Upper Chorlton Road, in Trafford, and he noticed a black BMW drive past him, before making a U-turn and pulling up on the other side of the road.
As the boy set off on his scooter, the vehicle sped past him and cut him off.
Before he knew it, three men jumped out of the car and then proceeded to rob him at knifepoint – during which the boy was stabbed twice, and £120 was taken from him, before the offenders made off.
The 15-year-old was rushed to hospital, where he was required to undergo emergency surgery before being stabilised.
Police described the incident as an ‘unprovoked attack on a young boy’.
Following a thorough Greater Manchester Police (GMP) investigation, led by DC Marie-Louise Knight of Trafford CID, the offenders were identified as Callum Henson and Harry Jackson, both from Manchester, and Bailey Mann from Northampton.
Henson was sentenced to five years and six months for robbery and Section 20 assault, and Jackson was sentenced to four years and 10 months for Section 18 assault, while Mann was sentenced to three years in a young offenders institute for robbery, due to being under 18 years of age.
Speaking following the sentencing of the three men, DC Knight said: “I am grateful that [Henson, Jackson, and Mann] have now faced justice for their actions, not only for ourselves from an investigation side, but also for the victim and his family who were left shaken following this incident.
“These sentencings show that we will not tolerate this type of violent crime.
“Knife crime has no place on our streets, and we will do all that we can to make sure offenders are punished, and our communities are safe.”
Featured Image – Google Maps
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Bolton man, 22, jailed after his ‘dangerous driving’ kills motorbike rider just days before Christmas
Emily Sergeant
A man from Bolton has been sentenced to more than a decade in jail after causing death by dangerous driving.
Cormac Sale, 22-years-old of Ina Avenue in Bolton, has been sentenced at Bolton Crown Court after pleading guilty to causing death by dangerous driving following a collision between a car and motorbike in Horwich, which saw another young man lose his life just days before Christmas (Saturday 14 December 2024).
At around 9:40pm that evening, Greater Manchester Police (GMP) were called out to an incident on Chorley Old Road in Bolton.
When they arrived, they found that a Skoda Fabia – belonging to Sale – had collided with a motorbike. Spencer Rothwell-Poole, also 22 and from Horwich, was riding the motorbike at the time and sadly died at the scene.
Following Sale’s arrest at the scene, further testing was conducted and he was found to be almost 10 times over the legal limit for ketamine whilst driving when the incident occurred.
Investigations by GMP’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit led to ‘significant evidence’ being obtained of Sale ‘driving erratically’ throughout the evening, as spotted by multiple other drivers and CCTV footage, and he was also driving on the opposite side of the road when the collision took place.
Sale has been sentenced to 10 years and eight months in prison, as well as being banned from driving for 12 years.
“This sentencing reflects the devastating consequences of choosing to drive recklessly and whilst under the influence,” commented Detective Constable James Maskrey, who is GMP’s Roads Police Lead Investigator.
“Nothing can undo the loss suffered by Spencer’s family, but it is our hope that this outcome offers some measure of justice.
“When someone gets behind the wheel under the influence of ketamine, they have no control of their own judgement or body, and even a moment where drivers are dissociated or unaware on the road can be fatal.
“This case is a stark reminder that dangerous driving destroys lives, and I want to reassure the public that our officers remain absolutely committed to tackling dangerous driving and removing those who pose a risk to our roads.”
The Manc -
15th October 2020 
