A CHARITY which is being supported by Manchester United striker Marcus Rashford has provided 268,000 meals for Cumbrians in need during the lockdown.

Rashford, who last week forced a Government U-turn on free school meals, has raised £20m for the FareShare charity which is also being supported by The Cumberland Building Society.

The charity, which distributes surplus food to frontline organisations such as food banks, has delivered the equivalent of 785,000 meals over the last 12 weeks, including 268,000 in Cumbria.

The Cumberland is going to donate money to the charity as part of its Pledge for Votes scheme, which it is due to run at its annual general meeting on July 21.

As part of the scheme, it donates £1 for every vote cast at the AGM to a chosen charity.

Last year more than £18,000 was provided to children’s charity Barnardo’s and this year it is the turn of FareShare.

The funding will be shared between the two regional branches - FareShare Glasgow and West of Scotland, which covers Dumfries and Galloway, and FareShare Lancashire and Cumbria.

The Cumberland AGM will be held on July 21 and eligible members will be able to vote.

Members can usually cast their votes at branches but this year, because of the coronavirus restrictions, The Cumberland is only accepting votes online and by post.

Phillip Ward, brand manager at The Cumberland, said: “Thanks to our link-up with FareShare, they will be making a difference to the lives of many people who are struggling right now.”