Sheffield Wednesday FC’s ‘Rainbow Owls’ have partnered with charity ‘Remedi’ to raise awareness of the harmful impacts of discriminatory abuse, during National Hate Crime Awareness Week.
Remedi staff and volunteers set up stalls where they spoke to fans and handed out flyers highlighting their ‘Stand Up, Beat Hate’ campaign before the Owls match against Burnley last Saturday.
The ‘Stand Up, Beat Hate’ campaign aims to reinforce the impact hate crimes have on victims, families and communities, alongside empowering young people to both recognise and be well informed to report hate crimes safely.
Nicole Slater, South Yorkshire Youth Manager at Remedi, said:
“Working with Sheffield Wednesday gives us the opportunity to reach more people and highlight the campaign. The club has been very welcoming from the start and we look forward to continuing this long-standing partnership.”
Players also wore pre-match t-shirts with the campaign logo ‘Step Up, Beat Hate’ printed on the front.
Jacob Walkland, Youth Integration and Premier League Kicks Coordinator at Sheffield Wednesday’s Community Programme said:
“Each year we dedicate this matchday to raise awareness and promote positivity around hate crime.
“Working in partnership with Remedi will allow us to create a safer and more inclusive community.”
An array of other organisations also showed their support including South Yorkshire Police and Victim Support South Yorkshire.
SWFC have advised if fans see discrimination to contact the Stadium’s Control Room number on 07526 166907 with full incident and location details.
For more information, visit Sheffield Wednesday FC’s website here, Remedi’s website here, or Sheffield Wednesday FC’s Community Programme page here.