Rashford 'honoured and humbled' to receive MBE

Friday 09 October 2020 22:30

Marcus Rashford is to be awarded an MBE in recognition of his services for vulnerable children in the United Kingdom during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, to give the honour its full title, was established in 1917 and has been awarded to the United Academy graduate as reward for his extraordinary efforts to publicise and address social inequality, in particular his success in helping to extend the free school-meals scheme over the summer.
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Watch Marcus Rashford's interview with the BBC.

Other former Manchester United employees to receive the MBE include the likes of Viv Anderson, Peter Beardsley, Eric Harrison, David Healy, Henrik Larsson, Jim Leighton, Peter Schmeichel, Teddy Sheringham, Nobby Stiles and Ray Wilkins, plus current Women's head coach Casey Stoney.

However, none of them were as young as Marcus when being awarded the honour as the Reds and England forward is still only 22 years old.

"I’m incredibly honoured and humbled," said Marcus. "As a young black man from Wythenshawe, never did I think I would be accepting an MBE, never mind an MBE at the age of 22. This is a very special moment for myself and my family, but particularly my mum who is the real deserving recipient of the honour.

“The fight to protect our most vulnerable children is far from over. I would be doing my community, and the families I have met and spoken with, an injustice if I didn’t use this opportunity to respectfully urge the Prime Minister, who recommended me for this honour, to support our children during the October half-term with an extension of the voucher scheme, as the furlough scheme comes to an end and we face increased unemployment.

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"Another sticking plaster, but one that will give the parents of millions of children in the UK just one less thing to worry about," he added.

“Let’s stand together in saying that no children in the UK should be going to bed hungry. As I have said many times before, no matter your feeling or opinion, not having access to food is NEVER the child’s fault.”

A spokesman for Manchester United said: “Everyone at Manchester United is hugely proud of Marcus for the work he has been doing to tackle food poverty among vulnerable children. His campaigning has raised awareness of a crucial issue and made a positive difference, and we are delighted to see his efforts being recognised with this honour.”

Congratulations Marcus, from all of us.

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