PUBLIC service union Unison teamed up with Show Racism the Red Card (SRtRC) and five former professional football players yesterday for an online event to promote action against racism.

The live event on Facebook was organised with Newcastle-based Unison Northern Region.

Unison regional secretary Clare Williams, regional convener Ricky Ramanandi and ex-pro players Shaka Heslop, Curtis Fleming, Gary Bennet, John Beresford and Steve Howey and SRtRC chief executive Ged Grebby took part.

Williams said: “Our work with SRtRC is extremely important to Unison in the region.

“We know that since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic there has been a significant rise in racism across the country and in our own region that is why it is crucial we continue to fight racism in all its forms.

“Recently we have seen the Black Lives Matter movement highlight the need to stand up for equality for all and shows how imperative it is to support organisations like SRtRC who work tirelessly to combat racism through education.”

SRtRC chief executive Grebby said: “This meeting brings together the original founders of SRtRC: players from Newcastle United, Sunderland AFC and Middlesbrough FC and Unison Northern Region.

“Back in January 1996 Shaka Hislop, Curtis Fleming, John Beresford, Gary Bennett and Steve Howey all helped us establish SRtRC. Unison Northern Region were part of our first ever management committee and a key sponsor from day one.”

Hislop is based in Boston in the United States and took part in Black Lives Matter demonstrations there.