Marcus Rashford has announced he is launching a book club to give children the opportunity to read more.
The Manchester United footballer has teamed up with Macmillan Children’s Books to promote reading and literacy among children from all kinds of backgrounds.
The project, launching next year, will have a particular focus on helping children from vulnerable and under-privileged backgrounds access books.
Marcus said he wishes he had the chance to read more as a child, but his family had to prioritise food over books when it came to budgeting.
‘I only started reading at 17, and it completely changed my outlook and mentality,’ said the 23-year-old.
‘I just wish I was offered the opportunity to really engage with reading more as a child, but books were never a thing we could budget for as a family when we needed to put food on the table.
‘There were times where the escapism of reading could have really helped me. I want this escapism for all children. Not just those that can afford it.
‘We know there are over 380,000 children across the UK today that have never owned a book, children that are in vulnerable environments. That has to change.
‘My books are, and always will be, for every child, even if I have to deliver them myself. We will reach them.’
He added acceptance and acknowledgment are a key focus of the project: ‘Let our children read that they are not alone and enable them to dream.
‘Equip them for obstacles and adversities they might face.
‘Allow them to relate to characters by making sure people of all race, religion and gender are depicted correctly and representative of modern society.
‘No matter where you grow up, talent should be recognised and championed.
‘Under the Marcus Rashford Book Club young writers, illustrators and creatives will be seen and they will be offered a platform to shine.’
The first book in the project will be published in May 2021 and will be called: ‘YOU ARE A CHAMPION: Unlock Your Potential, Find Your Voice And Be The BEST You Can Be’.
Aimed at young people aged between 11 and 16, each chapter will begin with a story from Marcus’ own life and will cover subjects like the value of education, positive mentality, understanding culture, and female role models.
It will be co-created with Carl Anka, a journalist for sports media group The Athletic, and performance psychologist Katie Warriner.
Two fiction titles for readers aged seven and up will follow later in 2021 and 2022.
Marcus has received national praise for highlighting the issue of child food poverty, and his campaign resulted in a Government U-turn to announce free meals would be provided to disadvantaged children over the Christmas holidays.
He was also awarded an MBE last month.
Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.
For more stories like this, check our news page.