Celebrities support anti-hate crime charity

Local Heroes, a national charity developed by Devon and Cornwall Police officer Ryan Doyle, has gained the support of two British celebrities. 

Actor and producer Greg Wise, known for his roles in 'Sense & Sensibility' and 'Cranford', is the charity’s new patron.

Exeter-based TV chef Glenn Cosby, who rose to fame on The Great British Bake Off, joins the charity as its latest hero. 

Local Heroes raises awareness of hate crime and gives young people the confidence to recognise and report it, by delivering workshops through trained youth workers.

Topics covered include: hate and mate crime, racism, homophobia and transphobia, gender discrimination, disability and sub-culture bullying. 

New patron Greg Wise said: “I have witnessed first-hand the corrosive, damaging nature of bullying, and am thankful that I am able to be part of an organisation that recognises that these issues need to be tackled head on, by taking a proactive approach to educating young people to challenge intolerance and encourage empathy.”

Glenn Cosby added: “As an openly gay teacher, I have dealt with bullying close up. 

"I feel that educating young people around this subject and giving them the confidence to recognise and report it is a positive step in dealing with hate crime. I’m certain Local Heroes will make a real difference to people’s lives.”

Some of the high profile heroes supporting this initiative are: Commonwealth Games medallist Katherine Endacott, Team GB Paralympians Robin Williams and Keryn Seal, international cyclist for UK Youth Chris Opie, actor Ayden Callaghan, and most recently, Exeter-based TV chef, Glenn Cosby.

The workshops will be run again in Devon and Cornwall in November this year and is being rolled out in Buckinghamshire, Dorset and West Midlands regions.

For information about, or to contact the Local Heroes charity visit: www.lhdiversity.org.