Football

Rashford explains motivation behind helping children during coronavirus crisis


Marcus Rashford has declared that helping those less fortunate than him is top of his priorities after running a successful campaign to raise money for vulnerable children.

The Manchester United and England forward has been helping to feed those who would otherwise be going hungry without free school meals during the lockdown enforced by the coronavirus outbreak.

The 22-year-old joined forces with FareShare, a charity which aims to relieve food poverty and reduce waste in the UK, to help children in Manchester – the city where he grew up.

Rashford opened up about how his own childhood has prompted him to want to help others and confirmed that his campaign helped raise £100,000 for FareShare.

Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford

“In the past, I have done a lot of work in regards to children and when I heard about the schools shutting down, I knew that meant free meals for some kids that they are not getting at school,” he told BBC Breakfast.

“I remember when I was at school I was on free meals and my Mum wouldn’t get home until around six o’clock so my next meal would have been about 8 o’clock. I was fortunate, and there are kids in much more difficult situations that don’t get their meals at homes.

“It (helping children) is very important, it is at the top of my to-do list. In our generation, there have been a lot of positive and negative influences. I am just trying to impact the next generation in a positive way.

“We have done the best we could with people donating, we have done very well. We have got to the £100,000 mark which means we get to feed 400,000 children so it’s been very positive.”

Rashford speaking to BBC Breakfast on Monday morning

United have also teamed up with local rivals Manchester City to help those in the local area who have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and Rashford praised the initiative.

“I think when times are tough it is important that two clubs who have a huge social following that we do come together and make a difference when things which are bigger than football happen. So credit to both clubs,” he added.

Before the virus’ outbreak, Rashford had been working in the community by judging a poetry competition for children with hearing impairments and he has confirmed he will be picking up where he left off once it is safe to do so, also discussing how important reading is to him.

Rashford in action for England

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He said: “As soon as this is finished I will go to the school, see the kids and give them the awards from the competition.

“I read a lot of books on mentality because in my profession that is one of the key points. I always want to keep developing and improving in some way and physically I can’t do that right now.

“There is so much knowledge in books and you don’t realise until you start reading yourself.”





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