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Rank: Advanced Member
Joined: 12/12/2007(UTC)
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Pupils from five schools in Redbridge signed up with Dagenham and Redbridge FC to Show Racism the Red Card.
Show Racism the Red Card is a charity that uses top footballers and managers as role models to raise awareness and educate on the issues of racism by using their personal stories to combat prejudices.
Approximately 100 pupils from Chadwell, Goodmayes, John Brampton, Fullwood and Ilford Jewish primary schools took part in a special event held at Dagenham and Redbridge FC's home ground on Thursday 26 January.
The event gave pupils the chance to meet stars of the club and get involved in various workshops to teach them about racism and the impacts it can have on people's lives, run by the Show Racism the Red Card team and Redbridge Children's Services together with the Roma Support Group.
*Question time session*
A Question Time session gave pupils the opportunity to ask a panel about their personal experiences and views of racism. The panel comprised Councillor Keith Prince, Leader of Redbridge Council, Luther Blissett, former Watford legend and ex-England international footballer, Daggers players Sam Williams, Kevin Maher and Exodus Geohaghon, Laura Greason, representatives from the Roma Support Group along with Stephen Thompson Managing Director of 'Daggers' and Vasile Calin, year 8 pupil from Mayfield school.
The day also included a guided grand tour to see facilities and 'behind the scenes' areas at Dagenham and Redbridge FC and gave pupils the opportunity to get some signatures for their autograph books.
Leader of Redbridge Council, Councillor Prince said, "The Council recognises the excellent work that the charity does and fully supports the campaign. The use of professional footballers as anti-racist role models has proven extremely popular in the Borough and it's great that pupils are given the opportunity to team up with footballers to learn valuable lessons about combating racism.
"Racism can take many forms, ranging from verbal abuse to physical attacks to a person or property and sadly it is something which is still happening around the world.
"I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone involved and for Dagenham and Redbridge FC for hosting this very worthwhile event and helping to develop good relationships and respect the differences between people."
Usayd Tai, Chair of Fullwood Primary School Council said, "I specifically enjoyed our day because we learnt so much information about Racism that we never knew. I particulary enjoyed working with the "Show Racism the Red Card" Team because we learnt how to act with different people regardless of their nationality, skin colour, religion and culture."
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