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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Marus Rushford - AIBU?

381 replies

Pr1mr0se · 02/09/2020 07:57

it's admirable that he feels he can raise the topic of school meals and poverty and the campaign seems to be growing wings with the food alliance HOWEVER AIBU to think that given that he is an extremely wealthy footballer with many footballer contacts in similar positions that they should be putting their money where their mouth is, so to speak too?

OP posts:
HoneysuckIejasmine · 02/09/2020 07:59

It is not the responsibility of wealthy individuals to pay for food programmes for children, it is the responsibility of the government.

Tomatoesneedtoripen · 02/09/2020 08:00

agree , it is not their responsibility. awareness can be given, that is the importance

OnlyFoolsnMothers · 02/09/2020 08:00

I think it’s easy to pick on footballers because they are young- he probably does give to the charity as many probably give to charity. It’s not really up to footballers to feed those in poverty.
He shone a light on an issue, I think that’s enough.

Ted27 · 02/09/2020 08:01

How do you know he isn't ?

Lockheart · 02/09/2020 08:01

How do you know that they aren't?

kaleishorrid · 02/09/2020 08:02

@HoneysuckIejasmine

It is not the responsibility of wealthy individuals to pay for food programmes for children, it is the responsibility of the government.
I agree.
JamieLeeCurtains · 02/09/2020 08:02

It's Marcus. Rashford. Marcus Rashford.

You've got a lot of opinions about a man whose name you can't even get right.

Thepilotlightsgoneout · 02/09/2020 08:02

No, it’s more important that he changes government policy, as it will benefit more children across the UK. We should be responsible for this as a society through our taxes and governments, not relying on some millionaire to finance it.

Also, my understanding is that he’s doing lots behind the scenes so maybe he is.

Aroundtheworldin80moves · 02/09/2020 08:02

How do you know he doesn't make significant contributions to his local food bank, or what volunteering he does?

He stood up for what he believed in. He used his fame for good when other people were saying the same were ignored.

Darcydashwood · 02/09/2020 08:04

I’m pretty sure Marcus Rashford gives to charity - however he probably doesn’t broadcast it for a variety of reasons! But I’d be very surprised if someone from his background and with his social conscious didn’t! But if you are super wealthy then it can be easy to write a check and feel like you’ve “done your bit”. He is pressuring for real change at a National/govt level. Which is massively important and has longer lasting effects than short term solutions.

Grannyspecsandslippers · 02/09/2020 08:04

You got his name wrong... he single handedly got the government to do a u-turn on meals for the poorest kids over the summer. He’s using his position and influence to highlight something he has experienced which will help many, many poorer kids.
It’s not up to him to pay to ensure children in our country don’t go hungry, that’s what we have a government for. Unfortunately our government is made up of over privileged toffs who’ve never experienced any kind of hardship.

AnneLovesGilbert · 02/09/2020 08:04

You think he should be paying, out of his own pocket, because the government doesn’t give a shit that millions of children are living in food poverty?

Have a little think about that. We live in the 6th richest nation in the world. Should poor people be relying on charity rather than the state that we all prop up with taxes, and poorer people pay taxes too every time they buy something, stop yabbering on about ending inequality and fucking do something?

Daisydoesnt · 02/09/2020 08:04

And how do you know he hasn’t donated his own money, if that’s what you are implying OP?

The fact is that even if he has made a donation, over the long term influencing government policy (which he’s already managed to do once) and creating a consortium of supermarkets and others to support the campaign will be of significant long term benefit, much more so than just writing a cheque.

In fact writing a cheque would be the really easy thing to do - takes him seconds to do, not long to earn, no effort at all. What he’s chosen to do is hard, time consuming, and has involved putting himself out there on what was a pretty unfashionable topic.

I find him an incredibly admirable young man, I can’t imagine why you are having a pop at him Hmm

LockdownLump · 02/09/2020 08:06

I think he has done really well to shine a light on this.

I saw him speaking on the BBC a while back and he was so passionate about it.

He may or may not give to charity, but what do you expect him and other footballers to do? Fund children's school dinners forever and a day?

This is the government's job. Not footballers.

Don't get me wrong, I think the amount of money involved in football is absolutely obscene and sickening. I cannot stand the 'beautiful game', but I still don't think it's their job to feed children in poverty.

Idontgiveagriffindamn · 02/09/2020 08:07

@HoneysuckIejasmine

It is not the responsibility of wealthy individuals to pay for food programmes for children, it is the responsibility of the government.
This!
ClinkyMonkey · 02/09/2020 08:07

His surname is Rashford, not Rushford btw, just in case you email the wrong person asking them to donate their own money.

Why on earth should wealthy sports people plug the gap left by an incompetent government?

contrmary · 02/09/2020 08:08

I agree - he should put his money where his mouth is. Maybe he should suggest the government imposes a special tax on footballers so they pay 100% of anything they earn over £1000 a week?

Theluggage15 · 02/09/2020 08:09

You can’t even be bothered to get his name right. You have no idea what he does with his money. I think it’s great that he’s spending his time on this issue.

BF2748 · 02/09/2020 08:09

Issues like this require systemic change, it’s something the government have to implement and isn’t as easy to just throw money at a situation. It’s not just top tier government, it’s local councils and counties that have to do the bulk of the work too. Whilst money helps and is part of a solution it isn’t the solution as whole. How many wealthy people are there that don’t even bring attention to important issues for those living in poverty/ not all that many! I think as a young man he’s done remarkable and is paving the way for other footballers to speak out on topics that concern them too.

dayswithaY · 02/09/2020 08:09

I can't imagine for one moment that he has launched this without actually putting his own money behind it. He wants it to work so of course, he's going to financially support it but he can't exactly go round saying "I've donated £10k look at me!"

arethereanyleftatall · 02/09/2020 08:10

Wow. A good deed never goes unpunished does it.
Yabu.

In fact, your stance has made me cross. What a vile viewpoint. So, this bloke, who has done wonders, needs to do more. Fuck me. That'll have other people lining up to help others now won't it?

Disfordarkchocolate · 02/09/2020 08:10

You need to do a bit of research. He has definitely 'put his money where his mouth is', and highlighted how little government really cares about poverty.

Iminaglasscaseofemotion · 02/09/2020 08:11

So you want this one man to pay for school meals for children all over the country? No, I don't think it works like that, no matter how rich the individual is. How do you know he isn't already giving money?

Boulshired · 02/09/2020 08:12

I am more concerned for him, the press like nothing better than bringing down someone they have previously praised. I admire what he has done but his life is now under a microscope with vultures waiting to turn on his future actions.

Iloveantiques · 02/09/2020 08:12

He's an inspiring role model that shone a light on this appalling govt and he is working for real change in reducing food poverty. Actions like this are worth so much more than 'charity'

Not one single child who goes hungry in this country or who has to rely on charity to eat deserves it in any way. Not one.