Marcus Rashford makes it a birthday to remember for Halifax youngster

Caleb Waterhouse, 10, of Halifax, sent a pair of boots to hero Rashford’s food poverty charity FareShare.

He wanted the Manchester United striker to sign them - and get Brazilian ace Neymar to sign them too when United played Paris St Germain in the Champions League.

In his letter Caleb offered to volunteer for the charity and then he promised to raffle the signed boots and send the charity the money.

But when Rashford, an ambassador for FoodShare, heard about Caleb’s gesture he was having none of it.

He tweeted: “Happy birthday Caleb, your mum must be very proud of you.

“I tell you what, FareShare will get the boots to me, I’ll sign them and you get to keep them as a birthday gift from me to you. I’ll donate the money you would have raised.

“Thank you for being kind.”

In his letter Caleb, a pupil at St Chad’s C of E Primary School in Hove Edge, explained it was his birthday on November 30 and he had sent some Neymar boots for signing.

He said he “wanted to help out just like Marcus Rashford did.” He asked if he could volunteer in the school holidays and promised to spread awareness and “help Marcus on his mission.”

Caleb knew Rashford was starting a book club for children and he sent a copy of his favourite Harry Potter novel.

He has also written to Blue Peter asking for Rashford to be awarded a gold badge.

Caleb’s mum Nicole Jones wasn’t on Twitter and had to sign up.

She tweeted her thanks to Rashford and this week told how proud she was of her son.

“He had been learning about kindness at school and it’s great that he wants to help,” she said. “He has a kind heart.”

Caleb was a bit overwhelmed by the publicity and social media attention but mum-of-two Nicole said: “He’s got his head round it all now and he says Marcus will probably be very pleased.”

Caleb will be invited for a tour of the charity in Manchester and has set up a JustGiving page for donations.