When pupils at Gainsborough primary school in Stratford were asked what image they would like to see painted on the side of the building, they voted overwhelmingly for a portrait of Manchester United footballer Marcus Rashford, not for his goal scoring prowess but to acknowledge the work he has done in campaigning for free school meals.

Based on a photograph by Paul Cooper, it was sprayed on by artist Josh Colwell of street art company Murwalls. More than a third of pupils at the school are eligible for free school meals, twice the national average.

Mayor of Newham, Rokhsana Fiaz said: “No child should be hungry. In Newham we have put in place the Eat for Free Scheme to ensure that every child has access to vital nutrition. Thank you Marcus for supporting our ambition.”

No news is bad news

Independent news outlets like ours – reporting for the community without rich backers – are under threat of closure, turning British towns into news deserts.

The audiences they serve know less, understand less, and can do less.

If our coverage has helped you understand our community a little bit better, please consider supporting us with a monthly, yearly or one-off donation.

Choose the news. Don’t lose the news.

Monthly direct debit

Annual direct debit

£5 per month supporters get a digital copy of each month’s paper before anyone else, £10 per month supporters get a digital copy of each month’s paper before anyone else and a print copy posted to them each month. £50 annual supporters get a digital copy of each month's paper before anyone else.