Manchester United hail Larne schoolboy's fundraising effort

Manchester United have hailed the brilliant fundraising initiative from a Co Antrim schoolboy.

Inspired by Red Devils hero Marcus Rashford, Ben Dickinson is gearing up for a big charity walk from Inver Park in his hometown of Larne to Old Trafford.

The 10-year-old aims to raise enough money to provide 50,000 meals for kids through FareShare.

Ben previously raised over £7,200 for the Northern Ireland Children’s Hospice by running 26 miles in 26 days last year.

His latest effort - Miles for Meals - will take place between March 4-11.

For every £1 raised, Fareshare can provide four meals and Ben wants to raise enough money to feed 50,000 people in Northern Ireland and through the rest of the UK.

Manchester United and England striker Rashford is an ambassador for FareShare and was awarded and MBE from the Queen for his services to vulnerable children.

Ben's fundraising efforts have already featured on Sky Sports, while Rashford surprised the the 10-year-old during an online interview.

Old Trafford legends Bryan Robson and Norman Whiteside have also shown their support.

And now Manchester United's in-house television channel has been sharing Ben's remarkable fundraising efforts.

They caught up with Ben after a recent game against Southampton.

Ben told them: "I am walking from my hometown to Old Trafford, and hopefully I get a hero's welcome when I get here.

"I am raising 50,000 meals for Marcus Rashford's charity Fareshare.

"I'm really happy with how things are going. We are halfway there so hopefully we can do it."

The 10-year-old's father Andrew added: "We are immensely proud of Ben. He has raised 27,500 meals already.

"Sky Sports are actually taking a camera crew with him every day of the walk, so we are hoping by the