MARCUS RASHFORD was recognised with a prestigious award at the National Education Union’s (NEU) annual conference today for his tireless campaigning on child poverty.

The Manchester United footballer has been awarded the 2021 Fred & Anne Jarvis Award, named after former National Union of Teachers general secretary Fred Jarvis and his wife Anne, who died in 2020 and 2007 respectively.

Mr Rashford forced ministers into a U-turn last year when the government committed to continue a free school meals voucher scheme in England during the summer holidays after initially ditching it. 

Nominations ahead of this week’s online conference came from nine branches of the NEU, including Manchester NEU, which said the 23-year-old had made a “huge impact” on children’s lives.

Accepting the award, Mr Rashford said: “A big thank you to NEU for giving me this award. I feel really honoured.

“Together we’ve pushed each other to strive for more — and hopefully we can continue to do that.”

NEU joint general secretary Kevin Courtney said: “Covid-19 has brought into sharp focus how poverty affects children’s health, mental wellbeing and their education.

“Marcus has played a committed and inspirational role in speaking up for young people.”