A MURAL of Marcus Rashford has been unveiled outside a school after children chose to thank him for his charity work in providing free school meals.

Gainsborough Primary School West Ham, East London, had an image – based on a photo by Paul Cooper – sprayed on to the side of the building on Monday by artist Josh Colwell of MurWalls.

It was gifted by a recruitment agency that works with the school, and teachers consulted kids about what they would like the art to depict.

Marc Silver, founder of MurWalls, told the PA news agency: “It was a majority which came back and said that they wanted to do a thank you message to Marcus Rashford for all the help that he’s done supporting the food banks and the meal tickets and everything during Covid.”

The Manchester United striker’s campaigning last year led to a U-turn by the Government to provide free school meals to children during the holidays.

Despite not having any connection in the areas, the students at the school still chose the 23-year-old as part of the project.

Mr Silver said: “People just respect him as a person, that he stood up to the Government, he stood up for what he believes in and he helped support and change people’s lives up and down the country.”

MurWalls recently produced pieces to honour Liverpool legends Ian St John and Ray Clemence, among others as one of the increasing number of murals throughout the UK – many of which are celebrating local football teams.

“It’s definitely a growing trend and we’ve got to thank people like Banksy really because he’s put street art on the map,” Mr Silver said.

“It’s been around for years – cavemen were doing it – but essentially, you know, it was done illegally.

“There’s some really talented people out there that just want to express themselves and now they’re getting the opportunity to paint them on walls and getting paid for it.”