Call to speak out against bullying

ROYAL BOROUGH: A campaigner from Ascot has spoken out against appearance related bullying to mark Anti-Bullying Week. Eleanor Hardie was born with a port wine stain birthmark on the right side of her face and is calling for more people to speak out against bullying.

The 20-year-old is working with Changes Faces, the UK’s leading charity that supports people with facial scars, marks and conditions. She said: “This Anti-Bullying Week we want everyone to know the damage that appearance-related bullying can have on children and young people. If someone has a visible difference that’s no excuse to stare, comment or bully”

Changing Faces chief executive Becky Hewitt, added; “Children and young people with visible differences tell us that they feel isolated and excluded. Far too often visible differences become the focus of bullying”.

Changing Faces research shows that 76 per cent of children with a visible difference feel anxious.

Anti-Bullying week ran from Monday until today (Friday).

More can be found out about the charities’ work at www.changingfaces.org.uk