Top Marcus at uni

Honorary doctorate for star’s food fight

CAMPAIGNING football star Marcus Rashford will become the youngest person to receive an honorary doctorate from his city’s university.

The 22-year-old Manchester United and England forward is being rewarded for his work in fighting against child poverty. He follows in the footsteps of club greats Sir Alex Ferguson and Sir Bobby Charlton in earning the prestigious accolade.

Last month, he forced a Government U-turn after he wrote an open letter to MPS asking for the reversal of a decision not to award free school meal vouchers to vulnerable children outside term time.

The Wythenshawe-born striker said his family relied on free school meals when he was growing up.

During the coronavirus pandemic, he also teamed up with poverty and food waste charity Fareshare to help raise £20million, which meant four million meals are distributed to vulnerable people weekly.

Marcus said: “It’s a proud day for myself and my family. We still have a long way to go in the fight to combat child poverty but receiving recognition from your city means a lot.”

President and vicechancellor of the University of Manchester, Professor Dame Nancy Rothwell, said: “Marcus is an extraordinary young man with an extraordinary talent and drive that stretches well beyond the football field.”

Marcus will receive the doctorate later this summer.

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