News
News
Marcus Rashford pays heartwarming surprise visit to Manchester school Danny Jones
Manchester United star Marcus Rashford is backing warming hearts and bringing smiles to young faces once again after he paid a surprise visit to a local school.
The Man United forward and England international emerged as a national hero during the lockdown through his support for the free school meals campaign, even earning an MBE for his services to charity, and has continued to offer his services outside of football ever since.
Club members regularly engage in community outreach through official United Foundation events, but this time Rashford decided to team up with fellow non-profit Football Beyond Borders (FBB) – an education and social inclusion charity he’s worked with for some time – to make some kids very happy.
During a recent session at The Barlow RC High School in Didsbury, children in the classroom were caught off-guard when the 27-year-old footballer popped his head around the door and came to sit in on a session. Here’s their reaction.
@thebarlowrc1 Thank you @footballbeyondborders and @marcusrashford for the surprise visit ❤️🤍 #Marcus was very impressed by the football played by our #FBB cohort. A huge thank you to the #FBB team for their work behind the scenes ⚽️ We feel very privileged ✨ . . #FBB #TheBarlowRC #MarcusRashford #Learn #SpreadingKindness #SpreadingTheLove #Achieve #Succeed #FootballBeyondBorders #Kindness #Support #TheBarlowFamily #TakeCourage #RiseUp #AndDoIt ♬ original sound – The Barlow RC High School
Just look at their faces – we’ll never get over the wide-eyed stares clips like produce. The week in and week out of actual game day aside, this is what football’s all about.
Although one particular pupil had sniffed a surprise in their midst, excitedly repeating, “I told you, what did I say?!”, it’s fair to say that the entire room was still stunned to see the United number 10 just casually walk into the room.
We especially like the moment when Rashford sits down next to one of the unsuspecting students and can’t stop double-taking to his friend, all the while grinning his head off – well, him and everyone else in attendance at the school for the surprise visit, adults included.
Taking place before this past weekend’s Premier League fixtures, the Wythenshawe winger then proceeds to join the aspiring young players out on the school pitch along with the other FBB ambassadors, who recently celebrated 10 years of vital work,
Guess you could call it some light training?
@thebarlowrc1 Thank you @footballbeyondborders and @marcusrashford for the surprise visit ❤️🤍 #Marcus was very impressed by the football played by our #FBB cohort. A huge thank you to the #FBB team for their work behind the scenes ⚽️ We feel very privileged ✨ . . #FBB #TheBarlowRC #MarcusRashford #Learn #SpreadingKindness #SpreadingTheLove #Achieve #Succeed #FootballBeyondBorders #Kindness #Support #TheBarlowFamily #TakeCourage #RiseUp #AndDoIt ♬ original sound – The Barlow RC High School
Read more:
- Ian Evatt responds to negative chanting after Bolton’s 5-0 thrashing against Stockport County
- The CEO of Bury FC officially resigns after two key board members step down
- Rúben Amorim sheds light on Man City links before accepting Man United manager’s job
Naturally, the responses underneath videos have been as equally wholesome as you would expect; one person commented, “Forget the football, Marcus Rashford is a top, top man. Nothing but respect”, while another said, “I respect the leadership and the guy really cares. Rare…”
A third went on to write: “A very grounded footballer. Remembers and knows what it’s like to be at the bottom and work your way up. Has done more for people in this country than people running this country! Respect.”
While his performances may not have been their best, both in his eyes and that of the fans at this present moment, many more simply went on to add that it “was nice to see him smiling” and when you’re doing important and inspiring work like this in your hometown, you can only admire and applaud.
As is the nature of the beautiful game, the goals will no doubt start flowing again eventually but in the meantime, well done to Rashford for continuing to be a legend on and off the pitch.
For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.
Featured Images — The Barlow RC High School (via TikTok)/Man United (via Instagram)
News
Chester Zoo opens new ‘cutting-edge’ science centre to help fight global extinction crisis Emily Sergeant
Chester Zoo has opened a new science centre which is set to play a “significant role” in the conservation of the world’s most-threatened species.
The new cutting-edge facility, formally named the International Centre for Zoo Science, will enable researchers to study some of species most at-threat across the globe, as well as support conservationists and scientists to fight the ongoing global extinction crisis.
The specialised centre is equipped with state-of-the-art technology to assess the health of plants and animals, Chester Zoo has revealed.
Inside is a demonstration lab to help train future conservationists, as well as a special cryo-conservation unit where genetics from endangered species will be preserved in liquid nitrogen at -196°C, and the new facility also houses Europe’s largest dedicated wildlife endocrinology lab, giving scientists the chance to study and track hormone levels in animals to further understand their reproductive biology.
In case you didn’t know, Chester Zoo is already at the forefront of vital research to protect a wide range of different species from extinction, with it being home to 37,000 animals from more than 500 species – but this new centre will take things one step further.
Scientists at the UK’s biggest charity zoo say the new centre – which is triple the size of the zoo’s previous lab facilities – will enable them to attempt to “unlock the secrets” of different species which have, so far, remained “unstudied” and a therefore a “mystery to science”.
It will also help the zoo significantly expand its scientific capacity, and boost its conservation training programme.
“Our new International Centre for Zoo Science will help us to play an even more significant role in the conservation of some of the world’s most endangered species,” explained Dr Sue Walker, who is the Head of Science at Chester Zoo.
“At a time when species face extinction on an unimaginable scale, we’re already making a substantial contribution to the task of preventing extinction and restoring biodiversity… and now our new science centre will enable us to grow our research, not only in wildlife reproduction, but also in terms of innovating within our other areas of expertise.”
Read more:
- Chester Zoo plants 19,000 new trees to help restore Cheshire’s lost woodlands
- Chester Zoo named best zoo in the UK thanks to more than 11,000 ‘excellent’ ratings
- ‘Spectacular’ lights trail returns to Chester Zoo this winter
Dr Walker added that this will also be the first time the Zoo is able to accommodate training courses for visiting researchers from all over the world.
Featured Image – Chester Zoo