Ex-Scotland boss lends hand in fight against racism

Craig Brown hailed Show Racism the Red Card’s (SRTRC) creative competition as the key to making it the organisation that will help eradicate racism from society.

Speaking at the launch of the 2010 SRTRC creative competition launch, which was part of The Learning and Teaching Scotland festival at the SECC, the ex-Scots boss told of the footballers enthusiasm for the campaign.

He said; ‘It’s amazing just how involved all the players want to be with this charity and the young people in the schools respond well to the modern day heroes.

‘This is best way to get the nation united and educated against racism. Eventually I hope it will not be necessary to have SRTRC, but for now the pressure needs to stay on.’

He was joined by former Partick Thistle and Dundee player Jim Duffy, and 15-year-old Sylvie Clark, who won the 2009 creative competition.

Jim Duffy, a long time volunteer for SRTRC, said; ‘I go into the schools and do workshops with the young people. It really is great fun and everyone enjoys it – the kids love it and their response to the footballers is fantastic.

‘Football opens up a door and that might not be otherwise there. The kids understand what a red card means; it means you’ve done something bad and let yourself and your team mates down.’

Also at the opening was last year’s winner, Sylvie Clark, 15, a pupil from Banchory Academy in Aberdeenshire. Sylvie told LOCAL NEWS about her experience at the National Stadium earlier in the year, when she found out she was the overall winner.

She said; ‘It was great to win the schools category and then coming to Hampden to win the overall prize was just amazing.’

Sylvie is now nearly an adult, but was only 13 when she created the iconic image of hands uniting across Scotland. She said; ‘I’m really glad I put forward my entry, the whole experience has been very beneficial for me.’

Source: Local News