Marcus Rashford honoured for child food poverty work during coronavirus crisis

Manchester United and England forward Marcus Rashford has been officially recognised for his efforts to secure free meals for vulnerable children during the coronavirus pandemic.

Rashford has been made an MBE (Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire) in the 2020 Queen's Birthday Honours list, which was due to be published in June but was pushed back to enable nominations for people playing crucial roles during the first months of the crisis.

The 22 year-old footballer launched a high-profile campaign which resulted in the Government changing policy over the issue of free school meals vouchers during lockdown, helping to ensure that children in need did not go hungry over the summer break.

The England forward continued his drive for social change in forming a child food poverty task force, which has linked up with some of the UK's biggest supermarkets and food brands.

Last month, the Professional Footballers' Association also honoured Rashford with a special merit award for his efforts.