Manchester United star, Marcus Rashford’s mum, Mel, has opened about her struggles raising up her children.
Talking with BBC Breakfast’s Sally Nugent, in an interview that was aired today, December 17, Mel recalls holding down multiple jobs to keep food on the table for Marcus and his siblings as they experienced food poverty whilst growing up.
Her interview comes amidst the local and international recognition her son, Rashford has received for his immense work in helping provide food to school kids in the UK.
Rashford, who now earns over £200,000 weekly playing for Manchester United, has been recognized by the UK Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, the Queen of England and his fellow footballers for his charity work helping under-fed kids.
He’s also been nominated for several awards this year in the UK.
Speaking to BBC Breakfast, Mel said:
“I had three jobs and if I didn’t do that we wouldn’t have been able to cook a pot of food, it’s just a bit difficult,” she said,
“So Marcus is only telling the story from how he sees it and the words he has been saying come from the bottom of his heart.”
On particularly challenging days she revealed: “Sometimes it was really bad, I’d rather give the food to the kids than give it to myself, sometimes I didn’t get anything to eat.
Marcus Rashford, who cried as his mum was detailing her difficulties training him, stated ‘only togetherness’ will lead to long-term change for needy kids.
“Sometimes we didn’t even have a loaf of bread in the house, it’s embarrassing to say, but we didn’t.”
Marcus reflecting on his childhood and his mum’s sacrifices, said:
“All the little struggles and the sacrifices that you made, it helps you appreciate everything like 10 times more, so I don’t see it as a weakness,” he said.
“I think in sport you have to have something behind you that is pushing you. When you come from a place of struggle and pain a lot of the time it switches and it becomes your drive and motivation.”
In an emotional moment, Mel and Marcus travelled to FareShare, the food charity that Marcus first partnered with in March, to see how they will be responding to soaring demand this Christmas.
Unknown to Mel, the BBC revealed that a new unit at FareShare will be named Melanie Maynard House, after Rashford paid for the unit to be named after his mum.
By Usman O.