Kirklees schools to be sent books educating children about racism
25 schools have signed up to the scheme, spearheaded by a mum of two from Huddersfield
Books educating children about racism are going to be sent into schools across Kirklees.
It's all down to mum of two Lorna Wray from Huddersfield who was upset by the abuse aimed at England's football players at Euro 2020.
Lorna's told Greatest Hits Radio West Yorkshire:
"I am mixed race and so are my children - and instead of being happy that we got to the finals - and yes we didn't win and of course you will be gutted - but look at the achievement and look at what we had achieved. But instead of having the buzz and the excitement we should have had, I actually felt a bit worried because what were we going to wake up to tomorrow - what backlash would we face.
"I should be teaching my kids about how proud we should be about our country and what we've done. But, in my head I was thinking, tomorrow I was going to have to explain to them why those things are being said. And you should never have to do that - it shouldn't be about the colour of your skin or what someone looks like."
To help educate children, Lorna is now raising money to help buy special books on racism and diversity for schools across Kirklees.
25 schools have signed up so far - with Lorna expecting more across the area and possibly West Yorkshire to join too.
Lorna says it's about teaching kids from early on:
"If they hear something, they should be confident to challenge that and know what's right and what's wrong, So if we don't start having those conversations now when they're younger, it can get taught - but if we catch them young, hopefully it will spread and it will continue to know that racism is not acceptable."
Lorna and her husband are raising money for the books and the charity, Show Racism the Red Card, by doing a sponsored walk from Huddersfield to Old Trafford in Manchester.
The pair are starting at John Smiths stadium at 6:30am today (Friday, 22 October), traveling through to Golcar football club and on to Marsden along the canal, then down past Digley Reservoir and back on the canal paths to old Trafford.
The route will be approximately 33 miles in one day.
To donate to help get more books into school, Lornahas set up a fundraising page.