Marcus Rashford becomes MBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours list

- Marcus Rashford has been honoured with the Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for his services to humanity

- The 22-year-old raised over £20million during the pandemic to feed children in need

- Rashford was also awarded by the PFA last September for the good work he has been doing

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Marcus Rashford has been awarded with the Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for his role in helping less children privilege children in the UK during the coronavirus pandemic.

The Manchester United and England striker earned plaudits all over the world after he offered free meals to schools during the lockdown period across the summer.

The 22-year-old has raised over £20million in the feeding program and formed a child food poverty task force with top food brands and supermarkets.

In a statement, Rashford said:

"I'm incredibly honoured and humbled. As a young black man from Wythenshawe, never did I think I would be accepting an MBE, never mind an MBE at the age of 22. This is a very special moment for myself and my family, but particularly my mum who is the real deserving recipient of the honour.

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"The fight to protect our most vulnerable children is far from over. I would be doing my community, and the families I have met and spoken with, an injustice if I didn't use this opportunity to respectfully urge the Prime Minister, who recommended me for this honour, to support our children during the October half term with an extension of the voucher scheme."

Man United also released a statement on the same:

"Everyone at Manchester United is hugely proud of Marcus for the work he has been doing to tackle food poverty among vulnerable children."

"His campaigning has raised awareness of a crucial issue and made a positive difference, and we are delighted to see his efforts being recognised with this honour."

Rashford’s quest along humanitarian grounds started in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, when the UK government announced that the initiative to hand free food vouchers to families whose children qualify for free meals would not go beyond the summer holidays.

The 23-year old took it upon himself to write to Prime Minister Boris Johnson to request to reverse the decision and somehow managed to get the government to crack.

In his letter to MPs, Rashford cited his own example and reliance on free food vouchers when he was growing up.

Because of his efforts, at least 1.5 children were able to get acess to the service.

In addition, TUKO.co.ke reported of how the forward collaborated with some big food brands to attempt to reduce child poverty.

Rashford received the Professional Footballers' Association merit award for his efforts in September.

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