Advertisement
Become a member of the Big Issue community
JOIN
Activism

Russell Brand is volunteering at a food bank thanks to Marcus Rashford

The actor and comic is urging his followers to join him in supporting High Wycombe’s One Can Trust

Russell Brand addressing People's Assembly Against Austerity rally

Russell Brand addressing People's Assembly Against Austerity rally (Credit: David B Young/Flickr)

Marcus Rashford’s tireless campaigning to end child food poverty has inspired plenty of Brits to take the matter seriously – and Russell Brand has the latest to answer Rashford’s call to volunteer at his local food bank.

The actor and comic revealed he would be offering his services to One Can Trust in High Wycombe in a social media video on Saturday as he urged his followers to join him in supporting the cause.

Food aid organisations and volunteers are braced for a busy winter thanks to the devastating economic impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. The UK’s largest food bank network operator The Trussell Trust has warned they are expecting to give out six emergency food parcels every minute this winter, an increase of 61 per cent on last year’s total.

That’s why Brand has decided to act to get struggling families fed this winter while hoping that structural change will follow to prevent food poverty taking hold

He said: “I’m trying to support Once Can Trust in any way I can. I try not to get caught up when I’m involved in things like this. My mind goes a little crazy, I start wondering well, God, can’t people do more? Can’t supermarkets do more?

Advertisement
Advertisement

“In the end if you think about stuff like this and if you think about poverty, it’s impossible to avoid the idea that we should completely restructure society. But for now let’s function on the rather more manageable objective of helping people that really need to get fed.“

https://twitter.com/One_Can_Trust/status/1330388022920159232

It’s not the first time that Russell Brand has used his platform to mobilise his followers in support of vulnerable people.

In 2018 he responded to concerns that rough sleepers would be moved off Windsor’s streets for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s royal wedding by inviting followers to back his petition to help them get housed.

He has also offered his time to help Big Issue vendors in the past – hosting a meeting with four sellers in 2017 to hear their powerful stories of addiction and recovery as well as sharing his own battle.

Advertisement

Become a Big Issue member

3.8 million people in the UK live in extreme poverty. Turn your anger into action - become a Big Issue member and give us the power to take poverty to zero.

Recommended for you

View all
I'm an Israeli who helped survivors of 7 October attack. Here's why we need a ceasefire in Gaza
War in Gaza

I'm an Israeli who helped survivors of 7 October attack. Here's why we need a ceasefire in Gaza

100 students die by suicide at university each year. These parents are fighting to change that
Mental health

100 students die by suicide at university each year. These parents are fighting to change that

Gail Porter on going from TV star to homeless and the power of having your own washing machine
Furniture poverty

Gail Porter on going from TV star to homeless and the power of having your own washing machine

UK can learn valuable lessons from how this Leeds suburb came together after riots
Community

UK can learn valuable lessons from how this Leeds suburb came together after riots

Most Popular

Read All
Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits
Renters: A mortgage lender's window advertising buy-to-let products
1.

Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal
Pound coins on a piece of paper with disability living allowancve
2.

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal

Cost of living payment 2024: Where to get help now the scheme is over
next dwp cost of living payment 2023
3.

Cost of living payment 2024: Where to get help now the scheme is over

Strike dates 2023: From train drivers to NHS doctors, here are the dates to know
4.

Strike dates 2023: From train drivers to NHS doctors, here are the dates to know