Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford has agreed to donate 50,000 free books to schoolchildren across the UK.
Rashford launched his own Book Club in 2021 alongside Macmillan Children’s Books with the aim of providing greater access to books for kids. The books will be given to children who are needing them most this summer.
The Book Club has chosen to giveaway Rashford's second novel The Breakfast Club Adventures 2: The Ghoul in the School, which was co-written with Alex Falase-Koya and illustrated by Marta Kissi. Head of local areas at the National Literacy Trust Jason Vit, has praised Rashford for his donation.
"At the National Literacy Trust, we know first-hand the huge affect reading for pleasure can have on a child’s literacy skills," he said. "The Marcus Rashford Book Club gives us an opportunity to inspire a love of reading in some of the most economically disadvantaged areas of the UK, not just by giving out free copies of this fantastic book, but also by showing how reading has influenced a role mode like Marcus Rashford.
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"With half a million children in the UK reporting they do not have access to books of their own at home, partnerships like this are more important than ever. We hope the 50,000 children we are reaching this summer will not just love the exciting adventures in The Breakfast Club, but that this will inspire them to seek out new books that will engage and spark their imaginations."
The topic of reading is particularly close to Rashford's heart. Previously, the 25-year-old has admitted he was 17 before he read his first book but credits it for changing his outlook on life.
Any school can join in with the Marcus Rashford Book Club through a free, virtual event with Alex Falase-Koya on Wednesday, June 28 at 10.30am.
A Manchester Evening News special souvenir edition - Fergie's First - charts United's 1992/93 title-winning campaign and you can get your hands on one here
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