Scores of Rugby businesses join Fish Plus to help feed Rugby's schoolchildren during the half term

Scores of Rugby businesses are pledging to help to feed Rugby's most vulnerable children after Conservative MPs threw out an attempt to secure free school meal vouchers for children during school holidays.

A Labour motion based on Footballer Marcus Rashford's plan to vouchers to children in receipt of free school meals during the school holidays was voted down in the Commons this week, causing outrage across the country.

Rugby MP Mark Pawsey, who voted against the motion has previously provided a statement to explain his position, see here.And, while many of our town's family-owned businesses are at their most vulnerable, they have stepped up to ensure that children from disadvantaged families will not go hungry next week.

On Friday, October 23, Fish Plus owner Andreas Kattou announced that the shop had teamed up with a nearby primary school to ensure that a huge number of school children were fed through the half term.

Andreas wrote: "The news about children not getting their free school meals over half term has saddened us beyond measure.

"We have teamed up with our local primary school St Oswald's CE Academy to give out free meals over a seven day period to 71 children who otherwise may not be able to have food in their bellies over half term.

"The British Government: Sort yourselves out!

"We hope other schools aren’t offended as we wanted to help everyone out but we are just a small family run business and we really do try our best to help out our community.

"Please also remember we are open on Sunday the 1st of November to all the public to come down for a free meal (chips with a sausage or fishcake) between the hours of 12-2pm."

Andreas later told the Advertiser: "It shouldn't get to the point where we have to be doing this, but I am happy to help the community if needed."

The Fish Plus team's announcement set off a domino effect which has seen scores of kind-hearted Rugby businesses also step forward to keep our town's children fed.

The Advertiser is presently trying to keep a running list of all businesses and groups offering help - click here to view it.If you are a business offering help to children over the next week, please email [email protected] so we can enter your details on the list.