Norwich City football captain Russell Martin has taken a starring role in a short film created by Norwich-based anti-bullying group GR8 AS U R.
The 10-minute film, A Kick in the Grass, was made after the organisation received support from the Ben Cohen StandUp Foundation, the Big Lottery, Norwich City Football Club and Norfolk County Council.
It shows the problems faced by a child who starts at a new primary school, and shows Martin in a dream sequence helping the football-obsessed pupil.
The film celebrates the official launch of GR8 AS U R, which aims to empower children and communities to stop bullying before it starts by inspiring them to be 'GR8 AS U R'.
Founder Jacqueline Hitchcock-Wyatt said: 'For my family this represents a happy ending – the life-saving, shining light at the end of a long struggle which started 15 years ago when both my twins were bullied in four schools in Norwich and we didn't know how to stop it.
'We now know how to stop it and it feels such an absolute joy and privilege to be able to offer other children and families hope and a route out of the hell that is bullying.'
GR8 AS U R founder Ellie Bea Hitchcock-Wyatt, 17, said: 'Please don't ask me to tell you what it was like being bullied as I never want to think of myself as a victim. I don't even want to talk about it or remember how it felt as it is always with me.
'I'd really like to put it behind me now and use what I've learned to help stop others having to go through the same thing.
'I want people to look at me and know there can be a happy life after bullying. I just want them to know they're not alone. I just want to give them back hope.'
James Joyce, chairman of the Children's Services Committee on Norfolk County Council, said: 'By working with very young children, GR8 AS U R aims to teach children the importance of valuing and respecting one another, as well as boosting confidence and self-esteem. Together this can help to prevent bullying before it begins.
'We are pleased to have been able to support this project, which we hope will have a significant impact on Norfolk's children and young people.'
To see more about the campaign, and to watch the video, see www.GR8ASUR.com
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