Rashford to receive honorary doctorate from University of Manchester

Marcus Rashford will become the youngest recipient of an honorary doctorate from the University of Manchester "for his remarkable campaign against child poverty off the field and outstanding sporting achievements on the pitch," the educational institution said on Wednesday.

The Manchester United forward will be given the highest honor the university can bestow later this summer.

The 22-year-old reached out to help disadvantaged families during the coronavirus lockdown. He first raised £20 million in collaboration with food waste charity FareShare, enabling 3.9 million meals to be distributed to vulnerable communities in the United Kingdom. The English international reached his fundraising target two-and-a-half weeks ahead of schedule.

The young attacker then challenged the government to extend its food-voucher scheme into the summer by sharing a heartfelt letter, drawing on his own experiences of relying on food banks as a child. After some initial resistance from Boris Johnson's Conservative party, the government is supplying free school meals this summer to children from low-income families.

Rashford follows Manchester United icons Sir Alex Ferguson and Sir Bobby Charlton in receiving the award from the university.

"It's a proud day for myself and my family," Rashford said. "When you look at the great names that have been awarded this doctorate in the past, it's humbling.

"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. Thank you to The University of Manchester."