Marcus Rashford guest edits Beano and encourages kids to find their voice

Virgin Radio

27 Jul 2022, 12:49

He’s an international footballer, best-selling author, and campaigner, and now Manchester United's Marcus Rashford is guest-editing the Beano. Not only that, but he’s featuring as a character in the much-loved comic as well. 

Yes, the England star is teaming up with the likes of Dennis and The Bash Street Kids in a special edition of the long-running comic strip, which lands today.

The front cover shows Marcus as a cartoon wearing a Beano Editor’s T-shirt, with Dennis and Minnie either side of him. He pops up throughout the comic as well, with The Bash Street Kids, Billy Whizz and Bananaman, and he even creates his own prank as part of Harsha’s Prank Academy. 

The footballer’s link-up with the comic celebrates the launch of his new book, You Can Do It: How to Find Your Voice and Make a Difference.

And Beano will donate 20p for every issue sold at the newsstand to the Marcus Rashford Book Club, created in partnership with the National Literacy Trust and Macmillan Children’s Books. 

The special guest editorship also makes up part of NatWest’s Thrive programme, and the comic features a strip in which Marcus teaches the Beanotown kids about failure, persistence, role-models and patience.

In his Editor’s Letter, Marcus wrote: "Yes, please! That was my response when Beano got in touch and asked me if I’d like to edit my own special version of the comic. I jumped at the chance because this is a great opportunity for you to get to know me a little better and understand all the things that are important to me.

“Nobody is a success in football without good teammates, and that's true in life as well. Everybody needs to build a team of allies to have fun with and speak up for what’s important. Our voice is strong alone, but when our voices come together, we are powerful. 

“When we fight for things that are important together, we can make progress a lot quicker than by ourselves. Asking for help is no weakness. Asking for help to achieve things quicker is a superpower." 

He continued: “Finding your voice doesn’t have to be difficult. It can be as simple as having the confidence to stand up for something you believe in, or to champion someone else and their difference. Your journey is your strength, and everyone has something valuable to contribute. 

“My favourite thing about Beano is how the comic brings together all sorts of different children. Instead of our differences dividing us, we embrace them here, and we find strength in them. We should be celebrating all things that make each of us unique." 

Explaining that reading is one of his favourite things to do,” Marcus finished his letter by saying: “Everyone should have the opportunity to find the joy in books, magazines, audiobooks or even this extra-special edition of Beano - my Beano!”

The special charity issue of Beano starring Marcus Rashford MBE is available in shops and online at Beano.com/Marcus now.