'He's done brilliantly': Northampton holiday club leader praises Marcus Rashford's free food voucher campaign

A Northampton school holiday club leader has applauded the Manchester United player Marcus Rashford for drawing attention to children who go hungry during the school holidays.

Project coordinator for Food In the School Holidays (FISH), Paul Foster, has said "it's a pleasant surprise" to see the Government make a U-turn on it's decision to extend children's free school meal vouchers for the summer holidays - but the campaign must be continued.

FISH was set up by Emmanuel Church Group and Growing Together Northampton three years ago at Blackthorn Academy where it is hosted every Tuesday in school holidays.

The groups organise one free meal for struggling families where they feed 100 hungry bellies each week, including parents and children.

He said: "We always make sure that we have enough food for the parents because we know that they will skip meals to feed children so we make sure they are fed as well.

"Where possible we try and do a cooked meal even if it's maybe hot dogs, fish finger sandwiches, stews, soups, or pasta - something warm and filling really.

"Even though it was one lunch a week we were providing it was time for parents to get out, socialise and feed the children - it was one less thing they'd have to fork out for."

It comes as England footballer Marcus Rashford has prompted a Government U-turn that will see parents claim vouchers for about 1.3 million children in England during the summer holidays.

That means any family with an income of less than £7,400 before benefits will qualify for free school meal vouchers for £15 a week per child.

"He's done brilliantly," Paul added. "It's a pleasant surprise to see the Government do a U-turn but we have to be careful because it's only for the summer and we need to continue campaigning and speaking to the right people so it carries on for the future.

"During the school holidays that facility isn't there and that's why we started the club up. It's had knock on effect to people being able to go out and have something to look forward to."