Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford is set to launch a book club by teaming up with Macmillan Children’s Books (MCB) to promote reading and literacy among children from all socio-economic backgrounds, reported Sky Sports. 

Rashford said he wished he had the opportunity to read more as a child but his family had to prioritise food over books when it came to budgeting.

Rashford said, “I only started reading at 17, and it completely changed my outlook and mentality. I just wish I was offered the opportunity to really engage with reading more as a child, but books were never a thing we could budget for as a family when we needed to put food on the table.”

He added, “There were times where the escapism of reading could have really helped me. I want this escapism for all children. Not just those that can afford it.”

According to MCB, the project will focus more on getting books into the hands of children from vulnerable and under-privileged backgrounds.

Rashford said, “We know there are over 380,000 children across the UK today that have never owned a book, children that are in vulnerable environments. That has to change. My books are, and always will be, for every child, even if I have to deliver them myself. We will reach them.”

The partnership’s first title, named ‘YOU ARE A CHAMPION: Unlock Your Potential, Find Your Voice And Be The BEST You Can Be’ is an illustrated non-fiction aimed at young people between the age of 11-16 and will be published in May next year.

Each of the chapters will begin with a story from Rashford’s own life and will cover a wide range of topics such as the value of education, positive mentality, understanding culture, and female role models.

Carl Anka, a journalist for sports media group The Athletic, and Katie Warriner, a performance psychologist will co-create the title. This will be followed by two fiction titles for readers aged seven and up in 2021 and 2022.

Rashford said, “Let our children read that they are not alone and enable them to dream. Equip them for obstacles and adversities they might face. Allow them to relate to characters by making sure people of all race, religion and gender are depicted correctly and representative of modern society.”

He added, “Under the Marcus Rashford Book Club young writers, illustrators and creatives will be seen and they will be offered a platform to shine.”