Marcus Rashford to be honoured with ‘City of Manchester’ award
Marcus Rashford is to be honoured with a City of Manchester award for his “outstanding” contribution to ending child food poverty.
At just 22 years of age, the Wythenshawe-born Manchester United star is to be specially recognised with a City of Manchester Award, which has been introduced as a way of recognising an individual’s “outstanding and exceptional contribution to the city”.
It follows his ongoing campaign to #endchildfoodpoverty, which enabled thousands of children to claim free school meal vouchers throughout the summer holidays in the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Wythenshawe councillor Tommy Judge will give the award as his first act as the new Lord Mayor of Manchester at the Full Council meeting today, and then Marcus himself will be invited to formally receive the award at a future meeting of the Council when social distancing rules allow.
This City of Manchester Award joins a long list of plaudits for the Manchester United star.
It comes after he was featured on the cover of British Vogue (for the magazine’s Activism Now edition), was made a the youngest ever Honorary Doctorate at the University of Manchester, was awarded an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours 2020, received a Pride of Manchester Award, and is to also receive a ‘Special Recognition’ Pride of Britain Award at the ceremony this Sunday.
Cllr Tommy Judge – incoming Lord Mayor of Manchester – said:
“From one Wythenshawe lad to another, this is a truly memorable moment.
We could never have known that Marcus was going to become the world-famous footballer that he is celebrated for today, but perhaps his recent campaign to feed needy young people will become his true legacy.
The way he and his wonderful family has stood up for what they believe in, the way they have given a voice to the powerless has been remarkable to see, and the pride we feel in Wythenshawe for what he and his family have done is huge, so, it’s with great honour that as my first act as Lord Mayor of Manchester we bestow the City of Manchester Award to Marcus.
Thank you for everything you have done for young people in this city and across the country.”
Cllr Tommy Judge
The ‘City of Manchester Award’ is a unique honour, which is separate to the ‘Freedom of the City’.
The ‘Freedom of the City’ is an award which is given to recipients as recognition for a lifetime’s contribution to the city, and has been previously awarded to United greats such as Sir Bobby Charlton, Sir Alex Ferguson, and Sir Matt Busby.