Youths stand against hate

the festival to return in 2017 and to improve further on last year.

A preliminary meeting to discuss the upcoming event is due to take place at 4pm on Tuesday, April 18 at Grangeway Youth Centre on Grangeway in Runcorn.

The event in 2016 brought performers to the town square in Runcorn Shopping Centre.

Musicians including Beth Woods, Junior Davis and Gareth Heeson were among those performing.

There was also a dance display from SJ Pure Street Dance group, a drama from Ella Performance Group and a tub-thumping rhythm feast from Halton Day Care Service’s Samba Band.

Widnes Paralympian Jack Hunter-Spivey and business woman Laura Green gave talks about their experiences aimed at inspiring others.

Halton mayor Ged Philbin also attended.

Support organisations from across Halton and beyond were on hand to provide information, advice and support relating to issues and the day’s themes.

These included Cheshire police, Halton Speak Out, Scope, Halton Impart, Umbrella, Young Addaction and its Glow LGBT group, Halton Voluntary And Community Action and The Sophie Lancaster Foundation.

MYP Ewan Jago, said: “Halton Against Hate is a campaign that has full support from myself as MYP as I believe it is vital to raise awareness about hate crimes and social cohesion. It comes in an age where the youth has access to many of forms of social media in particular.

“Hate should never be accepted anywhere and is certainly not condoned by anybody within Halton Youth Cabinet or the UKYP.”

Cllr Tom McInerney (children, young people and families) said: “It is commendable that young people want to organise such an event.

“It was a great success last year, let’s encourage the whole community to support it.”

To take part in Halton Against Hate email hah@haltonyc. com and for more information about Young Addaction Halton and the UK Youth Parliament in Halton, or to arrange an interview with any member of Halton Youth Cabinet, contact Phil McClure on phil. mcclure@addaction. org.uk or call 01928 240 406.