Western Daily Press (Saturday)
Rashford and Foster honoured
MANCHESTER United and England forward Marcus Rashford has been made an MBE for services to vulnerable children in the UK during the coronavirus pandemic.
The Queen’s Birthday Honours list for 2020 was due to be published in June, but was pushed back to enable nominations for people playing crucial roles during the first months of the crisis.
Rashford, 22, successfully lobbied the Government into a U-turn over its free school meals policy during lockdown, ensuring children in need would receive meals in the summer.
The England forward, who during September received the Professional Footballers’ Association merit award for his efforts, has since formed a child food poverty task force, linking up with some of the nation’s biggest supermarkets and food brands.
Reflecting on his MBE, Rashford vowed to continue fighting to protect the most vulnerable children.
“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,” he said in a statement via United.
“This is a very special moment for myself and my family, particularly my mum who is the real deserving recipient of the honour.
“The fight to protect our most vulnerable children is far from over.”
Brendan Foster has been awarded a knighthood for services to international and national sport, and culture in north-east England.
The 72-year-old former athlete was European champion over 5,000 metres in 1974.
Foster, from Hebburn, South Tyneside, went on to win 10,000 metres bronze at the Montreal Olympics, Great Britain’s only trackand-field medal at the event, and secured gold at the Commonwealth Games in 1978.
Away from the track, Foster, who established himself as a commentator, founded the Great North Run.
Foster said: “It is a real privilege to receive this honour. Fifty years ago, the Queen presented me with my first (world) athletics medal at the Edinburgh Commonwealth Games.
“Since then, I’ve been lucky enough to spend my whole life doing something that I’ve loved from childhood; participating, sharing my enthusiasm through broadcasting and for the last 40 years encouraging thousands to run for pleasure.”
Rugby’s Warren Gatland has been awarded a CBE for services to the sport in Wales, while his long-time captain Alun Wyn Jones has been made an OBE for services to rugby.
Winter Olympian Eve Muirhead has been awarded an MBE for services to curling, and former England cricketer Darren Gough has been made an MBE for services to the sport and charity.