Ex-Leeds United Stars Deliver Anti-Racist message, February 2nd 2010
Show Racism the Red Card worked in partnership with Education Leeds to deliver an anti-racist event to young people at the Lord Mayor’s Banquet Hall.
More about this event...
"We want our children to appreciate and value the cultures, faiths and beliefs that make up our great city. This brilliant event is a great opportunity for these young people find out how they can help change attitudes and promote the importance of treating everyone fairly."
- Chris Edwards, Chief Executive, Education Leeds
180 children from 18 local primary schools attended the event; which was officially opened by Counsellor Richard Harker, followed by an address by Chris Edwards, Chief Executive of Education Leeds.
Chris said:
“We want our children to appreciate and value the cultures, faiths and beliefs that make up our great city. This brilliant event will be a great opportunity for these young people find out how they can help change attitudes and promote the importance of treating everyone fairly and equally.”
The young people enthusiastically participated in an anti-racist workshop led by SRtRC education worker Conrad Franks and enjoyed a screening of the Show Racism the Red Card DVD, featuring top footballers such as Ryan Giggs, Thierry Henry, Samuel Eto’o, Dean Ashton and Didier Drogba.
The young people welcomed, with rapturous applause, a star-studded panel which included former Leeds United players Brian Deane and Chris Kamara and former Coventry striker Mick Ferguson. Completing the line up was former Leeds United and Bradford City legend John Hendrie.
John is a long term supporter of Show Racism the Red Card and we were delighted that Emmerdale actress Charlie Hardwick (who plays Val Pollard) attended the event to present John with a “Hall of Fame” award in recognition of his work for the campaign. Charlie is a Hall of Fame member herself having supported the campaign for many years. She delivering a heartfelt speech, praising John’s work and the work of the campaign.
John said:
“I am delighted to be given this award and to have the chance to communicate with young people on the subject of racism. I have been supporting Show Racism the Red Card for the last ten years and have participated in many events of this kind. I am happy to do anything to help raise awareness of this great campaign which is educating people on this very real issue. Football is a great way of bringing people together from all backgrounds, races and cultures.”
The young people posed their questions to the panel who gave brilliant answers and sound advice. The children who came up with the best questions were given Show Racism the Red Card t-shirts which were signed by the panellists. All of the young people went away with signed Leeds United posters and a lasting anti-racist message.
Show Racism the Red Card would like to thank all the panellists who contributed so much to the event, as well as Counsellor Harker, Chris Edwards, Rehana Minhas, Bernadette Robinson and all at Education Leeds who supported this event.
Photography thanks to Richard Wilcocks, Harmony
