Marcus Rashford's campaign to feed hungry kids attracts huge celebrity backing

British MPs may have rejected his calls to provide free hot meals for under-privileged children in the upcoming half-term break in a contentious vote in the House of Commons earlier this week, but Rashford appears to be mobilising a nation after a host of high profile figures threw their weight behind his drive.

"Put aside all the noise, the digs, the party politics and let’s focus on the reality," he wrote in a post on his social media platforms.

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

"We must stop stigmatising, judging and pointing fingers. Our views are being clouded by political affiliation. This is not politics, this is humanity.

"I don’t have the education of a politician. Many on Twitter have made that clear today but I have a social education having lived through this and having spent time with the families and children most affected. These children matter."

While MP's voted against efforts to offer free meals to children, a host of restaurants and food outlets have now joined this campaign by taking it upon themselves to offer free meals to kids next week.

Great Manchester mayor Andy Burnham has offered vouchers for children to get free meals, with Oldham council reciprocating that offer.

Meanwhile, fish and chip shops and cafes have posted messages confirming they will offer free meals for kids in their half-term break, with Gary Lineker and Piers Morgan among those joining Rashford in his push to help out school kids.