Marcus Rashford praises Mancunians for supporting him through his ‘lowest point’

Marcus Rashford has praised the Mancunian community who held him up through one of his ‘lowest points’ with their messages of love, support and compassion.

In a moving interview with the Sunday Mirror, the twenty-four year old Manchester United striker spoke of the ‘amazing’ response by the people of Manchester after his Withington mural was vandalised in the wake of England’s defeat to Italy in the 2020 Euros final. 

In the days following the vandalism, the mural was adorned with flowers, flags and hand-written messages of love and support from both Withington locals and people from across the city. 

Manchester’s Finest Group

Rashford said: “At one of my lowest points, the community wrapped their arms around me and held me up, with messages of support, donations and compassion.

“That feeling was indescribable at the time, seeing such a response.”

Speaking of the £40,000 raised for Withington Walls, a painting project tackling child food poverty, the footballer added: “To see those donations now supporting others in the area and helping them get back on their feet is amazing.”

Ed Wellard, one of the co-founders of Withington Walls, also spoke of the donations, saying: “The community’s amazing response to drown out the hate with love has snowballed.

“What started with those first hearts and messages of love and respect has inspired thousands more messages on the wall and online.”

This comes just weeks after Rashford was awarded an MBE by the Duke of Cambridge at Windsor Castle for his campaign to support vulnerable children throughout the pandemic.

Not only did he tirelessly campaign for free school meals and support for low-income families throughout the Covid pandemic, Rashford also fought hard against the plan to cut the £20 universal credit uplift, with him urging the government to instead tackle the ongoing ‘child hunger pandemic’.

Rashford then urged the government to provide long-term funding for food and activities during school holidays and expand the Healthy Start voucher scheme to households earning £20,000 or less after benefits.