Chichester mum-of-four offers to cook meals for struggling parents following Marcus Rashford's campaign

Lisa Maher Evans, 35, who lives with her partner and four children in Lavant, is looking for funds so she can buy enough ingredients and eventually 'look for a place to work and hand meals out from'.

"Me and my family have struggled during the pandemic," Lisa said. "Like other families, we've been struggling to make ends meet and there's been a lot of juggling.

"After the government voted against free school meals, I thought enough is enough.

"It's time to work together and feed ourselves. Spread love not war.

"We are going through a pandemic. If we can't pull together now, we never will."

The majority of Sussex MPs voted down plans to extend free school meals into the holidays, including Nick Gibb (Bognor Regis and Littlehampton), Andrew Griffith (Arundel and South Downs) and Gillian Keegan (Chichester).

Labour’s motion was defeated by 322 votes to 261 in the House of Commons on Wednesday night.

It called for the extension of free school meal vouchers into the holidays until Easter 2021 for families in receipt of Universal Credit or an equivalent benefit.

The issue has been spearheaded by Manchester United footballer Marcus Rashford, 22, leading to a government U-turn on providing support during the summer holiday.

On her JustGiving page, Lisa wrote: "This charity was made in the beginning for children but we know that this is a huge problem across the board with people unable to eat or feed their loved ones.

"Please donate anything you can and even better if you are able to help us cook for those in your area to deliver them a hot meal.

"Now is the time for us to pull together and stand united as we look out for each other and spread the love."

Lisa said a number of people have already offered their support, adding: "It's just snowballed.

"A couple of people suggested donations. It's amazing the amount of people that want to help.

"I want to help more than just my local area so am trying to make it broader.

"I can prepare meals for people who need them and I'm trying to get as many people to help as possible.

"The initial idea is to help children but the more support we get, we can try to help the elderly who can't get out and need support."

To donate, visit: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/mealsareus

Have you read?: Chichester pub responds to Marcus Rashford's campagin to feed hungry children over half term

A message from the Editor, Gary Shipton:

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news, I am asking you to please purchase a copy of our newspapers.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspapers.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

Stay safe, and best wishes.