Marcus Rashford receives gold Blue Peter badge

The Gold Badge is awarded every year, to a small number of people who ‘have accomplished great things, inspired a nation, saved a life or who have shown bravery and courage’.
 
Marcus has been honoured alongside climate change activist Greta Thunberg, for spearheading a movement to help ensure underprivileged schoolchildren were able to have access to free school meals over the holidays.  

Blue Peter state that Marcus is receiving the accolade for being a ‘hero not only on the pitch but off the pitch as well’ after the Blue Peter show received numerous letters from children saying they have been inspired by United no.10.
 
Upon receiving his badge, Marcus said: “I appreciate it greatly – I am happy that I’m able to spread positive messages and show a side of me that people might not know of. 

“A lot of what I do I not for me, I just want to give people the best chance to be the best they can be.”

Also recognised by Blue Peter were children Ayaan, Mikaeel, Hollie, Archie, Emmie and Tony, all of whom showed incredible acts of generosity, bravery and selflessness.

Along with Marcus, they join Her Majesty the Queen, Sir David Attenborough, Dame Mary Berry, Raheem Sterling, Tim Peake, Nikki Lilly and the late Captain Sir Tom Moore as the latest recipient of the special Gold Blue Peter Badge.