Marcus Rashford’s work to end child food poverty has seen him recognised as the only male winner during the Glamour Women Of The Year Awards 2021.
The Premier League footballer, 23, won the gong for ‘game changing man’ during the virtual ceremony on Thursday, joining a star-studded line-up of celebs and activists.
Also celebrated on the night was It’s A Sin actress Lydia West who took home the rising star award and band Little Mix who were named game changers in music.
‘Game changing man’: Marcus Rashford’s tireless work to end child food poverty has seen him recognised as the only male winner during the Glamour Women Of The Year Awards 2021
Host for the evening, Canadian comedian Katherine Ryan, introduced Marcus with a reference to the school meals scandal from last summer.
She said: ‘The man who really makes it sting when tax season rolls round and I learn that zero of my government-owed money is going to feed Britain’s hungry children like I reasonably assumed that it would in a compassionate society.
‘He’s a tireless campaigner for homelessness, hunger and literacy and who in just 24 hours last June forced the government to u-turn on their “carefully considered decision” to end free school meals for children from disadvantaged backgrounds.
‘And in his spare time he plays for Manchester United and England. Our game changing man is the undeterred Marcus Rashford.’
Winner: The Premier League footballer, 23, appeared briefly to thank Glamour for the award in a video message during the virtual ceremony on Thursday
Marcus then appeared wearing his bright orange kit in a short video with the Man U logo behind him as he thanked Glamour for their recognition.
He said: ‘Hi guys, I just wanted to say a big thank you to Glamour for the Game Changing man of the year award.’
Marcus has been holding the government to account over its support for some of the UK’s poorest children during the pandemic.
And footballer recently said he wants to end food poverty and give every child a fighting chance to beat the odds – just like he did when he became one of Manchester United’s youngest stars
Well deserved win: Host Katherine Ryan (pictured during the ceremony) introduced Marcus as a ‘tireless campaigner for homelessness, hunger and literacy’
Posing for a striking shoot for WSJ, he said: ‘I’m a person that’s still close to his community. I see people going through what I was going through when I was younger. I just understand it.’
In the space of 12 months, humble Rashford has led a campaign to end child food poverty in the U.K., taking on the British government to secure millions of free meals for underprivileged kids whose families are facing financial crisis.
He has worked with Boris Johnson and the Queen put Rashford on her Birthday Honours list in October—though he insists a royal accolade misses the point.
He said: ‘There’s things that are right and things that are wrong. And a lot of the way that the system is set up for these children is wrong. I think people can’t really turn away from that.’
Surprise appearance: Sadiq Khan praised the NHS and introduced a special game changer award for them at the end of the Glamour livestream
And although Marcus was the only male winner on Thursday, in a final surprise Sadiq Khan also made an appearance to announce a special NHS game changer award.
He said: ‘To all the NHS workers.. your actions this past year have been heroic. I’ve been blown away by your courage, humanity and unwavering dedication.’
NHS staff were then seen at Northwick Park hospital in London accepting the award and telling viewers they do not see themselves as heroes, only as doing their job.
The 2021 Gamechangers awards will honour women who have broken down barriers, incited change and campaigned for justice throughout their careers.
National treasure: Marcus has been holding the government to account over its support for some of the UK’s poorest children during the pandemic
Several of the year’s worthy winners have already been revealed ahead of the virtual ceremony on Thursday night, with Awkwafina scooping the Gamechainging creator award and Naomi Osaka the gong for sports Gamechanger.
Chatting about the 2021 awards, GLAMOUR UK editor-in-chief Deborah Joseph said: ‘In a year of great change, we are thrilled to be celebrating those who have incited change, not only in their chosen fields, but also on the world stage: altering the conversation through activism and empowerment.
‘This is why we’ve named 2021’s Awards: The Gamechangers.’
Previous winners include tennis star Serena Williams, actresses Angelina Jolie and Nicole Kidman as well as singer Adele.