Marcus Rashford is helping children to kickstart their reading skills as he guest edits a special edition of the Beano.
As part of the campaign, 20p from each shop sale of the edition, which is out today, will go to the footballer’s book club to encourage youngsters.
In a specially created strip, the Manchester United and England forward, 24, also teaches the Beanotown kids about failure, persistence, role models and patience.
The cover features the free school meals campaigner in cartoon form wearing a Beano Editor’s T-shirt, alongside Dennis and Minnie.
Rashford also appears with The Bash Street Kids, Billy Whizz and Bananaman, and even has fun as part of Harsha’s Prank Academy.
Craig Graham, editorial director at Beano Studios, said: “We’re so thrilled with this week’s very special comic and hope that kids pick up a copy to enter the incredible world of reading.”
In his editor’s letter, Rashford says he jumped at the chance to edit the comic – which was first published in 1938 – adding that collaborators at Macmillan Children’s Books and NatWest helped him put together activities.
The star also tells how people need good team-mates on the pitch and in life to be a success.
Rashford adds: “Everybody needs to build a team of allies to have fun with and speak up for what’s important.”
He tells kids that asking for help is not a weakness.
Rashford says his favourite thing about the Beano is how the comic brings together all sorts of different children and embraces diversity.
The special edition is available in partnership with NatWest’s Thrive programme, set up with Rashford to help kids realise their potential.
It follows the release of his book You Can Do It: How To Find Your Team And Make A Difference.
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