English footballer Marcus Rashford is set to receive an honorary doctorate from the University of Manchester for his campaign to help children in Britain, providing them school food vouchers during the lockdown imposed to curb the spread of COVID-19.
The Manchester United forward will become the youngest recipient of a doctorate from the university, the club said. The 22-year-old is set to join club greats Alex Ferguson and Bobby Charlton in receiving the honour.
“It’s a proud day for myself and my family. When you look at the great names that have been awarded this doctorate in the past, it’s humbling,” Rashford was quoted as saying in the club’s website.
“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’re heading in the right direction and that means a lot.” He thanked the University of Manchester for the honour.
The website also mentioned that Rashford wrote an open letter to British MPs about his personal experiences of using foodbanks as a boy and that influenced a change in government policy, enabling children who have free school meals in term-time to continue receiving them during the summer.
Reports said that Rashford helped raise around GBP 20 million (USD 25.22 million) with FareShare, a charity that aims to reduce food waste and fight food poverty, to supply meals to vulnerable families during the pandemic. They have reportedly provided more than three million meals by the end of June.
(With inputs from agencies)
