Footballer Marcus Rashford will receive an honorary doctorate from the University of Manchester for his recent action against child poverty and his sporting achievements, the university announced on Wednesday.
At 22, the England international striker from Manchester United becomes the youngest person to receive this distinction. He joins Alex Ferguson and Bobby Charlton among the prestigious football glories having received the highest distinction from this English university.
Very humbled, thank you @OfficialUoM ♥ ️ https://t.co/y16c58oEdB
- Marcus Rashford (@MarcusRashford) July 15, 2020"It is a proud day for me and my family," he said, quoted in a statement on the university website. “Looking at the big names who have been honored by this doctorate in the past makes me humble. We still have a long way to go to fight child poverty in this country, but receiving this recognition in your city means that we are going in the right direction. "
Last month, Rashford wrote an open letter to MPs asking that 1.3 million children continue to receive free meals for several more weeks beyond June.
Can Rashford's victory unpack sportsmen's commitment? via @ 20minutesSport https://t.co/itM4ABNqw2
- 20 Minutes Sport (@ 20minutesSport) June 29, 2020A special meal coupon program had been put in place when the schools closed, at the start of confinement, starting in the last week of March, to help the poorest families. Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who had initially refused to expand the program, finally bowed under pressure after 24 hours. He even personally called Marcus Rashford.
According to the latest benchmark study from the Department for Work and Pensions, 4.1 million children lived in relative poverty in the UK in 2017-2018. Among them, 700,000 suffered from severe deprivation, 200,000 more than in the aftermath of the financial crisis in 2010-2011.
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England: Marcus Rashford fights for the needy to have food
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