Welsh bookshop raises over £3,000 to get Marcus Rashford's book into schools in Wales

A Welsh bookshop has raised over £3,000 to get Marcus Rashford's book into as many schools in Wales as possible.

The fundraiser was set up on 9th July but has seen a flurry of support since the football star was bombarded with racist messages on social media after the England v Italy final.

Marcus Rashford was one of three players, alongside Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka, who missed penalty kicks and received abuse which has been condemned by UEFA, the FA and political leaders.

The Book-ish shop in Crickhowell, in south-eastern Powys, said they were raising money to buy the book for Welsh schools as it could inspire children living in poverty in Wales.

Marcus Rashford was born into a single-parent family that struggled financially and has campaigned against homelessness and child hunger.

"Crickhowell may be considered an affluent area but within a very short distance from our bookshop are some of the highest rates of child poverty in Europe," Book-ish said.

"Around 200,000 children are living in poverty in Wales, or one in three of the total population, according to Save the Children charity. In addition, as many as 90,000 live in severe poverty.

"On both counts, Wales has the highest rate of child poverty of any nation in the UK."

They added: "The past 18 months have been extremely tough on us all but especially our young people. We feel passionately that getting books, and particularly getting this book, at this moment into their hands can be a real game changer."

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'Lauded'

Earlier today Mark Drakeford joined England manager Gareth Southgate and Prime Minister Boris Johnson is condemning those who sent the messages.

“The racist abuse following last night’s Euros 2020 final is absolutely unacceptable, we unreservedly condemn it,” Mark Drakeford said.

“We stand with England’s players against all forms of discrimination – there must be zero tolerance for it.”

He also called on people to submit suggestions to a consultation on creating an anti-racist Wales.

“As we strive towards an anti-racist Wales, we are seeking your views on a Race Equality Action Plan,” he wrote.

Boris Johnson had earlier said that: “This England team deserve to be lauded as heroes, not racially abused on social media. Those responsible for this appalling abuse should be ashamed of themselves.”

However, he was accused by the Labour Party of hypocrisy after he failed to condemn fans booing the taking of the knee as a symbolic protest against racism at the start of matches.

Labour leader Keir Starmer said that the Prime Minister had “failed the test of leadership because whatever he says today about racism he had a simple choice at the beginning of this tournament in relation to the booing of those who were taking the knee.

“The prime minister failed to call that out and the actions and inactions of leaders have consequences, so I’m afraid the prime minister’s words today ring hollow.”

European football’s governing body UEFA has also condemned the “disgusting racist abuse”, adding that they “stand by the players and the FA’s call for the strongest possible punishments.”