Oh my cod! Coppull chippy offers free food to those in need after school meal vote defeated

A bid to extend free school meals for the poorest children over the school holidays was defeated in a Commons vote on Wednesday evening (October 21).

The bid, tabled by Labour, was defeated by 322 votes to 261 - with a majority of 61.

It came after Number 10 ruled out pleas from MPs to support Manchester United footballer Marcus Rashford’s campaign to guarantee meals during holidays for the poorest children as the pandemic's second wave hits.

He wanted the Government to agree to feed more than 1.4 million children during school breaks until Easter next year. Mr Rashford was successful in forcing a u-turn on the same matter earlier in the year.

He wrote on Twitter: "A significant number of children are going to bed tonight not only hungry but feeling like they do not matter because of the comments that have been made today."

Following the defeat, Oh My Cod in Spendmore Lane has decided to offer free chips to those in need in a bid to make sure no child goes hungry.

All children have to do is pop into the shop, with a parent if they're too young, between midday and 2pm and ask for a free cone of chips.

James Sheehan, co-owner of Oh My Cod, says he was inspired to do something after seeing other local businesses in the area stepping up and helping in any way they can.

"I'd been following Marcus Rashford's recent campaign and being a Liverpool fan I couldn’t help but find him inspiring, but I was disgusted with the government's decision to vote against the motion to give kids meals during the half term, especially as these MPs get subsidised luxury meals in the House of Commons, yet deny the poorest in society a simple meal," he said.

"After thinking things over and seeing a couple of places where we live in Wigan doing something about it, myself and business partner Chris Mayor discussed the idea of offering to do our bit and we both agreed it was the right thing to do.

"The reaction to the post so far on Facebook has been great and hopefully we should be able to help feed some hungry kids along with other great local businesses."

The Facebook post has over 170 likes at the time of writing this, and over 430 shares, with many people congratulating the chippy for helping local kids.

One person commented: "Good to see businesses going above and beyond for local children. Even in these tough times where they are struggling also.

"Would be nice to see the government give up a few things instead of leaving the country high and dry. Shame on you Boris."

Another said: "What a great gesture, when it matters the most local businesses and communities come together to support the most vulnerable. No kids should go without.

"The government and those who voted against should re-evaluate their existence. Well done."

Marcus Rashford says he has been "blown away" after seeing businesses across the country offering to replace free school meals over the half-term.

He said: "Blown away by news of local businesses stepping up to fill the voucher scheme deficit during the October half term.

"Selflessness, kindness, togetherness, this is the England I know. Add #ENDCHILDFOODPOVERTY to your tweets so I can track them. I will share as many as I can."

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