My wife and I, dressed and with negative COVID tests in hand, took a morning drive to Windsor Castle in November 2021. I was awarded an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours 2020 for services in ‘Research, Communication, and Engagement,’ a ceremony delayed due to COVID-19.
I belong to the group “R to Z,” and as we chatted, Marcus Rashford, the Manchester United and England soccer player, entered. He received an MBE that day for his work in helping vulnerable children during the pandemic, showing his dedication beyond football.
The closure of schools during the pandemic disrupted free meal provisions for disadvantaged children aged 5 to 16. Thanks to the efforts of the Food Foundation and Marcus Rashford, the UK Government supported low-income families with food and household bills for 12 months, benefiting at least 1.7 million children.
COVID-19 highlighted the UK’s food insecurity issue, revealing that access to healthy food is a significant problem. The dilemma is particularly tough for children, as malnutrition disproportionately affects them. It’s vital to address this issue to break the cycle of poverty and inequality in society.
One proposed solution is universal access to free school meals for all children to ensure that no child goes without nutritious food. Good health starts in childhood and is crucial for a prosperous future.
Source: www.sciencefocus.com
