Teacher who has walked 400 miles to deliver 5,000 meals to vulnerable pupils during lockdown praises decision to continue school voucher scheme
- Father-of-three Zane Powles, Grimsby, walked 5 miles a day to deliver lunches
- Former soldier has walked nearly 400 miles and has carried nearly three tonnes
- Now delivering 68 meals a day and insisted that pupils are ‘better off at school’
A teacher who delivered 5,000 meals to vulnerable pupils during lockdown has praised the decision to continue the school lunch voucher scheme.
Father-of-three Zane Powles, from Grimsby, spends his morning walking five miles to deliver lunches to students, who are currently self-isolating with their families at home.
The deputy head teacher at Western Primary School, who has walked nearly 400 miles and carried nearly thee tonnes of food since the pandemic began, appeared on Good Morning Britain today.
He spoke of the government’s decision to continue supplying supermarket vouchers to school children who would normally receive free lunches during the summer holidays, following a campaign by footballer Marcus Rashford.
Father-of-three Zane Powles (pictured), from Grimsby, spends his morning walking five miles to deliver lunches to students, who are currently self-isolating with their families at home
He spoke on GMB of the government’s decision to continue supplying supermarket vouchers to school children who would normally receive free lunches during the summer holidays
‘What a man, said Zane. ‘He’s given a voice to all those children who struggle to get a meal inside the.
‘Its amazing, to change the government’s decision in three or four days. What a result he’s got.’
At the start of lockdown, Zane delivered 78 packed lunches each morning, consisting of a sandwich, a packet of crisps, a biscuit or cake, and an apple.
Since schools began to re-open at the beginning of June, Zane now delivers 68 meals and the former soldier told that the classroom is ‘without doubt’ the best place for children at the moment.
Zane told host Lorraine Kelly (pictured) that the project has had a profound effect on parents
The deputy head teacher at Western Primary School, has walked nearly 400 miles and carried nearly thee tonnes of food since the pandemic began
He said: ‘The more children back at school, the better for them, better for the parents. They can go back to work – as long as it’s safe.
‘We’re trying to fill spaces, school is, without doubt, the best place for them. ‘
He went on: ‘Our motto is a school that cares and when things are tough, we care for them at home as well. We support them in every way we can.’
Zane told that the project has had a profound effect on parents and that for many his visit was the only other adult conversation they had had in several days because they’d been shielding during the crisis.
He said: ‘The kids come to the door and pick up their lunches and often run away but the parents chat away.
The teacher was surprised by mother Claire (pictured), who thanked him for delivering her children meals during the lockdown
Zane told that for many his visit was the only other adult conversation they had had in several days because they’d been shielding during the crisis
‘Certainly at the beginning, because sometimes I was the only adult they saw for two or three days and I said to them “If I can help you out, I will, whatever I can do”‘.
The teacher was surprised by mother Claire, who thanked him for delivering her children meals during the lockdown.
She said: ‘I just want to thank Mr Powell for bringing my children lunches during lockdown.
‘It’s helped keep them safe so I don’t have to go to the shop everyday. Seeing Mr. Powell every day has been something for me and my boys, so well done.’
The teacher added: ‘Like I say, we started it off because it was the right thing to do. Our school is amazing, it’s really inclusive ,great staff – it’s just what we do .’