He’s used to tens of thousands of adoring fans cheering him on at football games.
But a street mural painted on the wall of a Manchester cafe has humbled millionaire footballer Marcus Rashford – who is these days better-known for his high-profile campaign highlighting food poverty among England’s poorest.
Rashford took to Twitter to personally thank the artist behind the black and white mural unveiled in his hometown.
The mural, created by street artist Akse, honours the footballer’s successful campaign to have free school meals extended over the winter.
Rashford retweeted a picture of the mural with his thanks.
He said: “I usually get embarrassed sharing these things because this journey was never really about me, but I know this took a lot of time and effort.”
Rashford’s mother Melanie provided a quote for the mural, based on a photograph by Daniel Cheetham, which read: "Take pride in knowing that your struggle will play the biggest role in your purpose."
The tribute comes after Prime Minister Boris Johnson held a phone call with Rashford at the weekend after weeks of refusing to budge on the footballer’s calls to extend free school meals.
Mr Johnson pledged to provide £170 million ($225.5m) for a coronavirus winter grant scheme for vulnerable families in England.
Free school meals will be extended to Easter under the programme.
The reversal came after a string of criticism from charities, the opposition Labour Party and even Mr Johnson’s own MPs, some of whom who suggested the refusal to extend free school meals went against the public’s expectations.
The Children's Commissioner for England, Anne Longfield, summed up the row as like a chapter from Oliver Twist.
She told Sky News in October: "To have a debate about whether we should make sure that hungry and vulnerable children have enough to eat is something that is strikingly similar to something we'd expect to see in chapters of Oliver Twist - a novel published in the 19th century."
Rashford said he was “overwhelmed with pride” at the progress of his campaign.
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Manchester United player Marcus Rashford and his mother Melanie visit FareShare Greater Manchester at New Smithfield Market, Manchester. AP Photo -
Marcus Rashford, seen here on the left, waged a high-profile campaign to persuade the Government to provide free meals to vulnerable youngsters in England throughout the school holidays during the coronavirus pandemic. AP Photo -
Staff at The Watering Can Restaurant and Cafe in Liverpool's Greenbank Park prepare free half-term meal packs for children. Getty Images -
Camp Manager Georgia Marks and Leigh Ellwood, owner of Planet Youth holiday and after school camps, prepare food lunch packs for those who are in need of free children’s meals over the half term holiday, in Muswell Hill, London. Getty Images -
A young boy carries free half-term meal packs for himself and his sibling from the Watering Can Cafe in Liverpool. Getty Images -
Volunteers from Richmond Rugby prepare to deliver meals to local school children on the Ivybridge estate in Twickenham, south west London. AFP -
Vikki Long from the Barkers of Richmond fish and chip shop prepares a serving of fish and chips on. The chip shop are offering family meal deals throughout the coronavirus pandemic. Getty Images -
A waitress serves a meal at a cafe in the Richmond Victorian indoor market. The cafe are offering free meals to families in need during the school holidays. Getty Images -
Staff at The Watering Can Restaurant and Cafe in Liverpool's Greenbank Park prepare free half-term meal packs for children. Getty Images -
Dom Palacio, Head of Community at Richmond Rugby, delivers meals to local school children living in a block of flats on the Ivybridge estate in Twickenham, south west London. AFP
