The Manchester United Foundation has announced that it is marking the 65th anniversary of the Munich Air Disaster by immersing a group of its young people in commemorative and educational activities.
Today marks 65 years to the day since the tragic event that claimed the lives of 23 people took place. United marked the anniversary and took the opportunity to remember those who died both before and during Saturday's 2-1 win over Crystal Palace, with a minute's silence taking place ahead of kick-off and every player wearing a black armband.
Participants from Foundation schools and projects joined United stars Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford, as well as Katie Zelem and Ella Toone from the United Women's team, to recite and record a moving poem adopted from the famous terrace chant, 'For ever and ever', that will be released to mark the anniversary.
READ MORE: United's 14-pass move vs Crystal Palace proved Erik ten Hag's plan is working
The United Foundation was formed as a lasting tribute to the Busby Babes, epitomising the club's history of celebrating youth. The legacy of former United manager Sir Matt Busby and former coach Jimmy Murphy continues to be shown every single day through the Foundation's commitment of nurturing and empowering youngsters across local communities.
Participants from Foundation partner schools, Ability Counts and Street Reds programmes, joined Fernandes, Rashford, Zelem and Toone in a heartfelt recitation of the poem. The short film encompasses the legacy of those that lost their lives in the disaster, whilst echoing that the Busby Babes will 'never die' in the hearts and minds of United and the club's fans.
Joining forces with the Foundation to mark the anniversary, stand-in captain Fernandes said: "The history of this club is instilled in all of us as players. It's important that we pay our respects and honour those that lost their lives.
"To join the Foundation and mark the 65th anniversary in this way, we hope it will preserve the Busby Babes' legacy for generations to come."
Toone added: "I'm so proud to represent this club and it's a privilege to be able to support the Foundation in this way. Like the young people, it's important that we educate ourselves on this moment that shaped the club forever."
Another group of members of the Foundation will head out to Germany, to further commemorate the anniversary. The group will spend three days in Germany as part of a trip supported by the Manchester Munich Memorial Foundation -MMMF], a charity dedicated to preserving the legacy of the Munich Air Disaster.
As part of the trip, those involved will attend the memorial service at Manchesterplatz. They will also take part in further cultural activities across the city joining local youth organisations, Pikassio Libero and Buntkickgut, both of which are supported by the MMMF.
Foundation Chief Executive John Shiels said: "Manchester United Foundation is proudly built upon the legacy of the Busby Babes, and it is therefore vital that we honour their legacy on the anniversary of the Munich Air Disaster. Everything we do is in tribute to Sir Matt Busby and Jimmy Murphy's ethos of investing in the talents of young people, and we aim to empower and inspire our young people through our activities throughout the year.
"Our participants' trip to Munich, and their involvement alongside players in our commemorative poem, places them at the heart of our remembrance activity while helping them to understand the significance of the disaster in the club's history."
Win a pair of tickets to the Premier League or Women's Super League match of your choosing! Enter by clicking here!
READ NEXT:
