Manchester United star Marcus Rashford backs Wakefield Council food poverty plan as Christmas voucher scheme begins

England forward Marcus Rashford gave the nod to Wakefield Council as a scheme to help children in poverty this Christmas begins.
Marcus RashfordMarcus Rashford
Marcus Rashford

​Thousands of school children in the Wakefield district are set to benefit from food vouchers this Christmas.

The England footballer quoted a tweet from the council on Twitter.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Families struggling financially due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic and who are eligible for support will this week - December 14 - receive letters confirming their entitlement to food vouchers during the Christmas holiday period.

In October, council leader Denise Jeffery said the council would make sure that children in the district don't go without food this Christmas.

Following this and after lobbying to government by Wakefield, many other councils and other organisations, the Government has agreed to support councils and provide help through its Covid winter grant scheme.

The Council will utilise some of the £1.3m grant from the Government to address food needs over the Christmas and February school holidays.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Around 17,000 young people in low income households in the district will benefit from this scheme.

Coun Jeffery said: "This has been a challenging year for families and many are struggling financially due to the impact of coronavirus.

"I am very pleased that we are taking positive action that will make a real difference to children and families over the festive period and beyond. We have all faced many challenges during the Covid-19 pandemic and it has been my pledge that no child in this district will go hungry, and I am very pleased that we are able to provide this essential support."

Letters will be sent to eligible households with instructions on how to redeem their voucher codes. Any family who has not received a letter by Tuesday, December 22 and think they may be eligible will be directed to the revenue and benefits team on 0345 8 504 504 and will be considered under the existing council tax support process.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

A range of local help and support is available to people who may be struggling with less income due to coronavirus. Residents are encouraged to contact their nearest community support hub or visit www.wakefield.gov.uk/hub for more information.