A few weeks after he collaborated with a charity to help feed children in the Manchester area who relied on free school meals, after schools were closed across the United Kingdom due to COVID-19, Marcus Rashford is to be honoured with an honorary Doctorate from the University of Manchester.
The 22-year-old Manchester United forward, who is seen by most people from his community as a hero, when he eventually receives his Honorary Doctorate from the University of Manchester, will be the youngest ever to be honoured by the school. He is essentially being honoured for his campaign against child poverty.
Rashford had campaigned for the government to allow about 1.3 million children to claim free school meal vouchers in England’s summer holidays.
The award is the highest honour the university can bestow.
England forward Rashford said it was “a proud day for myself and my family”.
United legends Sir Alex Ferguson and Sir Bobby Charlton have previously received the award from the university.
Rashford said: “When you look at the great names that have been awarded this doctorate in the past, it’s humbling.
“We still have a long way to go in the fight to combat child poverty in this country but receiving recognition from your city means we are heading in the right direction and that means a lot.”
United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer called Rashford a “great person”, adding: “He cares about others so much more than himself.
“Very proud of him and hopefully [he will] keep his personality for the rest of his life.”