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Awareness raising Rainbow Rounders event at Teesside

28 April 2017

 

A Rainbow Rounders tournament was hosted at Teesside University as part of its pledge to embrace diversity and actively oppose prejudice.

The rounders event, which celebrates the University’s commitment to its All Different, All Equal pledge, involved teams from Teesside University, the University's Students' Union, MFC Foundation, Cleveland Police and the Hart Gables charity, which offers support to people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender.

The event also helped to promote Stonewall's Rainbow Laces campaign, which uses campaigns and sporting activities to raise awareness and make sure no lesbian, gay, bi or trans people feel excluded from taking part as a fan or teammate.

Eventual winner of the tournament was the team from MFC Foundation, with the Cleveland Police team runners-up.

Dr Joan Heggie, who chairs the University's LGBT Focus Group, said: 'It has been a great event, with the teams coming together to play rounders and raise awareness of LGBT and show that sport is for everyone.'

I think people will take away a lot from today

Claire Streeter

Leading the winning team, Claire Streeter, from MFC Foundation, said: 'I think people will take away a lot from today. It has been a great experience with a lot of partnership, networking and showing that sport is equal and everyone can take part.'

Emily Harrison, Cleveland Police Chief Inspector, said: 'It has provided a really great opportunity to engage with different members of the community. We invited along some of the local neighbourhood policing officers to be part of the team.'

Sarah Lewis, from Hart Gables charity, which is based in Hartlepool and Middlesbrough and works with all ages, from children to pensioners, said: 'We offer social support groups, workshop training and work with the local community to raise awareness. Events such as this help to break down barriers and bring people together.'


 
 
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