Manchester United forward, Marcos Rashford is set to be awarded an honourary doctorate degree from The University of Manchester, making him become the youngest recipient of such.
Rashford will be recognised for his campaign against child poverty, and his sporting achievements.
The Manchester United and England forward persuaded the government to extend the free school meal vouchers scheme throughout the summer.
“It’s a proud day for me and my family,” he said.
Rashford will follow legendary Manchester United figures such as Sir Alex Ferguson and Sir Bobby Charlton, who have previously received the award – the highest honour the university can offer.
“When you look at the great names that have been awarded this doctorate in the past, it’s humbling,” said Rashford.
“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 are heading in the right direction, and that means a lot.”
In June, Rashford called on the government to reverse a decision not to provide free school meal vouchers during the summer, saying that “the system isn’t built for families like mine to succeed”.
“Marcus is an extraordinary young man with an extraordinary talent and drive that stretches well beyond the football field,” said university President and Vice-Chancellor Prof Dame Nancy Rothwell.
“His work for charity and his high-profile campaign will not only help countless young people across our own city, but across the entire country.”
The news of Rashford’s honourary doctorate has been praised by many social media users with ‘Dr Marcus Rashford’ trending on microblogging platform, Twitter.
See some reactions below:
Dr Marcus Rashford, has a nice ring to it.
Thoroughly deserved award 👏🏽— Edmund 💉 (@EdmundOris) July 15, 2020
*Peter Drury when Rashford scores a screamer*
That was an absolute beauty from Dr. Marcus Rashford himself, that would have been from a book of advance psychology right from the top top shelf in the library
— MARIO (@OlamiLekzy44) July 15, 2020
DR. MARCUS RASHFORD
That's the tweet pic.twitter.com/FDe2we4HDQ— Caprisonne Papii xNFT🥤 (@emekah_) July 15, 2020
Marcus Rashford will receive an honorary doctorate from The University of Manchester this summer, for his campaign against child poverty and his success with Manchester United. Ladies and gentlemen, Dr. Marcus Rashford. We are proud of you. #mufc pic.twitter.com/O0X9qmhiT7
— Ghana Red Devils MUSC (@GHRedDevils) July 15, 2020
Very humbled, thank you @OfficialUoM ♥️ https://t.co/y16c58oEdB
— Marcus Rashford MBE (@MarcusRashford) July 15, 2020
TWEET FOR DR MARCUS RASHFORD
Marcus Rashford will become the youngest person to receive an honorary doctorate from the University of Manchester for his campaign against child poverty.✊🙌🎉 pic.twitter.com/642sJ2oQpY— abdulrazack abdullahi (@Thiz_iz_Abdul) July 15, 2020
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