MP lobbies for anti-bullying charity
The MP for Central Devon has praised a South West-based anti-bullying charity in the lead up to national anti-bullying week (November 16-20) for its efforts in tackling bullying and reducing hate crimes.
The MP, Mel Stride, recently hosted a meeting in Westminster with Devon and Cornwall Police Inspector Ryan Doyle, the former High Sheriff of Devon, John Lee OBE, both from the Mid Devon area, and Children’s Minister Edward Timpson MP to discuss their work with the charity, "Local Heroes" and its key role in tackling intolerance and discrimination within schools.
The charity uses “local heroes” such as sportsmen and women and celebrities to deliver the message that bullying and hate crimes should not be tolerated.
The scheme has grown rapidly during the last few years with around 50 UK schools to be covered in the next year.
Both Mr Stride and the Minister pledged to help the charity by promoting its work and suggesting sources for additional funding.
After the meeting Mr Stride said: “Local Heroes is an outstanding local charity and I was delighted to join Inspector Doyle and John Lee while they briefed the Government on the obvious success of their programme and how they are looking to roll out initiatives in other parts of the country.
“I will also be supporting national anti-bullying week later this month which will help raise awareness about bullying and encouraging people to speak out on it.
"Especially important is the week’s emphasis on tackling cyber-bullying which can affect both children and adults and has become a bigger problem due to increased social media use.”
Inspector Doyle, said: "Local Heroes is now in it's third year of raising awareness of Hate Crime with young people and inspiring them to challenge and prevent it.
"I'm delighted that we are now being recognised and supported by the government and hope that this will help us get the crucial backing required to develop and continue our work."
John Lee said: “As patron of Local Heroes I was delighted to arrange, through Mel Stride MP, for Inspector Ryan Doyle to present the work of the charity to the Children’s Minister, Edward Timpson and to discuss how its valuable work in tackling bullying is being rolled out across the country with successful roadshows so far this year being held in Torquay, Plymouth, Bristol, Exeter, Barnstaple, Dorset, Milton Keynes, Wolverhampton, Leicester and in London at White Hart Lane Football Club, the home of Tottenham Hotspur.
The official anti-bullying pack as well as teaching resources for schools can be found at: www.antibullyingweek.co.uk and details about Local Heroes can be found at: www.lhdiversity.org.uk
