MP Sharon wins award for highlighting holiday hunger

The Labour politician for Washington and Sunderland West had been nominated for a Grassroots Diplomat Award for Social Policy Changer to recognise her work on the issue.

And she was announced as the winner at an awards ceremony held in London.

Since 2008, she has campaigned for better food provision in England’s schools, championing the benefits of universal free school meals to children and young people.

She also campaigned for policy-makers to address the issue of child holiday hunger by setting up the Holiday Hunger Task Group under the umbrella of the School Food APPG.

Mrs Hodgson said: “It is humbling to be recognised for the work I have done on child hunger, both during term-time and in the holidays as I champion this cause not for any accolade or recognition, but to ensure all children get the best chances in life - no matter what their background or circumstance.

“There is still such a long way to go to achieve my ambition of no child going hungry during the school holidays. However, with the work of the School Food APPG and its Holiday Hunger Task Group,

“I will continue to lobby to try to influence the Government in order that strategies and actions are put in place to tackle children going hungry during the holidays so that their health and education are not affected, which would negatively impact their lives and opportunities.”