Mesut Özil has shown his support for Marcus Rashford’s campaign by providing free school meals for around 1,400 pupils in north London for the rest of this week.
The Arsenal playmaker has joined forces with Barnet Sunday Football League (BSFL), Stefan Peppert and German Chefs Catering in Knightsbridge to deliver the meals to 12 schools, including Whitings School in Barnet.
“The school wanted to say thank you for his kindness and generosity,” said headteacher Sejal Patel.
Boris Johnson is facing renewed pressure to commit more money for free school meals after the high-profile campaign led by Manchester United forward Rashford. A World Cup winner in 2014 with Germany, Özil is already heavily involved with a number of charities, including the likes of Rays of Sunshine and a Barnet hospice.
A BSFL spokesperson told TalkSport: “We are very grateful to Mesut Özil and Stefan Peppert for getting involved with our initiative, and the volunteers on the project who have worked tirelessly throughout. We have raised over £3,000 so far, with 1,400 meals per day prepared and delivered to schools.”
Former Germany international Özil, 32, has been left out of Arsenal’s Premier League and Europa League squads.