Football Leads the Way

12.00.00am GMT Thu 8th Jan 2009

Helen Foster-Grime supporting the 'Kick Racism Out Of Football' campaign

Leading North West European Parliamentary candidate for the Lib Dems Helen Foster-Grime joined Stockport County footballer Paul "Charlie" Ennis and former County Club Chairman Norman Beverley recently at the "125 Years of Stockport County" exhibition at the Stockport Story museum to Celebrate the achievements of North West youngsters.

The young people from Brinnington, Reddish and Offerton have been working on an innovative project making short animated films based on themes around racism, ethnic minorities and football as part of Stockport County's Kick Racism Out of Football campaign.

The project based at the football club's Edgeley Park Study Centre involved the Centre working in partnership with the Council's Children and Young people Directorate, Stockport Museum Service, Hands On Heritage and the Youth Service.

Helen, Norman and Paul Ennis presented certificates to the youngsters as well as a DVD of their own animations which were "premiered" on the night and can be seen as part of the County exhibition.

Helen Foster-Grime said, " We are so proud of the work these great young people have undertaken and its a great credit to Stockport County the work they are doing at the fabulous study centre which is only one of 12 in the country. I firmly believe that projects of these kind which engage young ones in positive activities are of huge benefit to our communities. Football and other sports can be such a catalyst for positive activities in everything and we've had great fun and humour here tonight too. "

Helen who is campaigning for more funding for football projects and sport's issues as part of her European Parliament campaign in the North West also added, " Everyone was so delighted that Norman and Charlie, one of our rising Stars, were able to join us and add sparkle to the celebration and the young people loved their question and Answer session with Charlie.

We have so many great football clubs in the North West (the true home of football!) to be proud of and it is great to see their ground-breaking work in action."