Rashford Honoured With MBE For Child Poverty Fight
Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford has been awarded an MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) for his efforts in the fight against child poverty during the coronavirus pandemic.
Rashford was named in the 2020 Queen’s honours list released on Friday.
The 22-year-old England international in collaboration with the Fareshare charity organisation helped raise £20m to provide free meals to the vulnerable during the coronavirus lockdown in the UK.
Rashford was also successful in urging the UK government to reconsider its decision to withdraw a scheme for free school meals for underprivileged children during the summer months, using his own childhood experiences as a reference point.
In a statement, Rashford said: "I'm incredibly honoured and humbled. 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.
"Another sticking plaster, but one that will give the parents of millions of children in the UK just one less thing to worry about.
"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."
