Marcus Rashford nominated for Petition Campaign of the Year Award

Footballer and food poverty campaigner, Marcus Rashford, has been nominated for the inaugural Petition Campaign of the Year Award at the Your UK Parliament Awards.

Marcus started a petition calling for the Government to “End child food poverty – no child should be going hungry”.

It currently has more than 1.1 million signatures, making it the largest petition received this Parliament. 

He led a wider campaign on child food poverty, using his own personal experience to highlight the issues that it raises.

He has used his public profile as a Premier League and international footballer to secure significant media coverage and public support for the campaign.

Marcus and his mum volunteered at food banks and met staff and volunteers at the food distribution charity FareShare, for which he is an ambassador.

He has also used his profile to bring together charities and food retailers into a Child Food Poverty Task Force which campaigns on the issue, most recently calling for a comprehensive review of free school meals policy.

His petition prompted the Petitions Committee’s evidence session into child food poverty on 21st January 2021.

Marcus also took part in a recorded video conversation with the Chair of the Committee to talk more about his campaign and why he started his petition – and encouraged others to use petitions to get their voices heard.

The Government has actively engaged with Marcus as a result of his campaign.

The MPs on the Petitions Committee will select the winners shortly, and the full list of nominees and the winner will be announced in due course.

The 4th annual Your UK Parliament Awards recognise the individuals across the UK who have taken democratic action on the issues they care about.

There are six categories, which celebrate individuals, schools, and organisations who have made a difference in their communities and beyond.

“These campaigns are a testament to the power of petitions to raise awareness of issues that might otherwise struggle to be heard in Parliament,” said Catherine McKinnell, Chair of the Petitions Committee.

“The nominees have each shown how to organise a successful campaign, building on their petitions by gathering support from the wider public, charities and others who share their concerns.

“I have been so impressed by our nominees’ passion, determination, and ideas for how to tackle the problems they’ve set their minds to, and congratulate them on their achievements.”

The winners will receive a commemorative trophy and all nominees will receive a certificate to celebrate their achievements.