Marcus Rashford’s old pal Leah hails his free school meals

 

AN old school pal of Marcus Rashford Leah Williams ,has hailed his free school meals campaign — as her family still benefits.

Leah Williams, 22, was in the same class as the Man United star from Year 3 to Year 7.

She said: “He was always such a smiley boy. He was always helpful. If you had a problem, he was always that boy that everyone talked to.”

Marcus, 23, has twice forced the Government into U-turns over providing free school meals in the holidays.

Single mum Leah, of Runcorn, Cheshire, said: “I used to sit with him in class and had no idea how much he would help the community — and the whole of England, really.

“He is so genuine.”

Marcus and mum Melanie at a food bank — the young icon has ­spoken movingly about how free school meals helped him when he was growing up

Read AlsoRashford’s mother Melanie reveals life of suffering and smiling

Today, the food parcels and vouchers help feed Leah’s son Jackson-Lee, three, her brothers and sisters still at school, plus an older sister with children.

Leah and Marcus attended Button Lane primary in Wythenshawe, south Manchester.