Marcus Rashford MBE has joined forces with Burberry again on an incredible new initiative supporting organisations in Britain that are committed to helping disadvantaged youths develop literacy skills. “We’ve identified a real need here,” explains the 24-year-old footballer. “Far too many children do not currently have access to books, typically because of financial restraints, and there was a need to inspire them, and allow them to see beyond the challenges they face daily.”

CAMPBELL ADDY / COURTESY OF BURBERRY

Last year, Rashford became a national hero for helping supply food to the most vulnerable children across the UK. During a time when schools were forced shut, and free meals that under-privileged families heavily relied upon became unavailable, the footballer stepped up to the plate, and changed the lives of more than 1.3 million children.

CAMPBELL ADDY / COURTESY OF BURBERRY

Rashford’s new funding focus around education, backed by Burberry, will bolster the libraries in 10 schools across Manchester, Yorkshire and London. The Marcus Rashford Book Club, a programme launched by Rashford and Macmillan Children’s Books, will donate over 8,000 books, including teaching materials.

“The Marcus Rashford Book Club is a big passion project of mine,” explains Rashford of the initiative. “Coming out of the pandemic, there were so many needs to be addressed with children in underserved communities struggling to reintegrate into the classroom, so to create a space that reduced some of that stress – while also inspiring and motivating – is special.”

CAMPBELL ADDY / COURTESY OF BURBERRY

British Vogue caught up with the English footballer and youth advocate on his continued partnership with Burberry and what he’s hoping to achieve next year.

Hi Marcus! How does it feel to continue your collaboration with Burberry?

“It feels great – it’s a relationship that I really value. I appreciate the time that the two teams take to identify a need and act quickly to address it.”

Why is it so important to you to support, and empower the next generation of youths?

“When you grew up in communities like mine, it’s easy to feel unsupported. Children need to see more than what’s on their front doorstep to be inspired to reach their potential, and for that reason we have to give them opportunities that wouldn’t necessarily be available. No child should be starting life 20 yards behind any other. These children can be anything they want to be, sometimes they just need that belief.”

CAMPBELL ADDY / COURTESY OF BURBERRY

What are you most proud of from this year’s partnership?

“The thing I loved about this project was that a number of parties were able to come together to create something special – Burberry, Macmillan Children’s Books, and the National Literacy Trust. That’s what this is all about: collaboration. There is strength and power in numbers. The day I visited the space we’d built in Wythenshawe [south Manchester], I saw two young boys lying on the beanbags with a book in their hands at peace with themselves – that was amazing. There’s no doubt in my mind that children in these spaces can be inspired to lose themselves in books, and find joy in reading.”

What else are you hoping to achieve in the new year?

“The Book Club has an objective to get books in the hands of the 390,000 children in the UK that have never owned a book. We’ve made great progress but there is still a lot of work to do. Also, I have two big book projects in the works for next year that I want to get started on. There is some work to be done around food security this Christmas, and I’m sure that will continue into 2022, as families still struggle to find their feet. Where they need my support, they will continue to have it.”

CAMPBELL ADDY / COURTESY OF BURBERRY

What should we all be doing more of to make the world a better place?

“We should all try to be a little bit more understanding. To champion our differences. To listen. To be kind and compassionate. If we started there, the world would already be a better place.”

What advice would you give to a young person today trying to break out of their cycle of disadvantages?

“You are only in competition with yourself. Move at your own pace and just believe in yourself.”