Actor attends recent event held at the stadium aimed at teaching youngsters how to eradicate homophobia
Hollywood star Sir Ian McKellen recently paid a visit to Macron Stadium to support Bolton Wanderers' and the Community Trust’s involvement in the Football v Homophobia campaign.
In line with the work of the organisation, youngsters from schools around Bolton took part in an inter-school football tournament at the club’s Lostock academy training ground last month.
Spending time in the Platinum Suite at Macron Stadium after the conclusion of the competition, the youngsters participated in a workshop which allowed them to engage with the issue of sexuality and to learn about how homophobia can hurt and offend people.
A campaign which aims to eradicate homophobia by educating children from a young age, Football v Homophobia is an international initiative which works across all levels from grassroots to professional football clubs.
And following the workshop, the pupils were awarded their medals from the earlier tournament by world-renowned actor Sir McKellen who praised the organisation for their efforts.
“What a wonderful initiative it is,” he said. “Sport is all about getting along with people – you ultimately cannot be a good team without that. You cannot succeed unless everyone is doing it together.
“There’s no place for name calling and saying that we’re all different – we are all different, thank goodness and for the children to be learning that at their age is absolutely fantastic.”
For more information on Football v Homophobia, please visit www.footballvhomophobia.com.
Watch footage of Sir McKellen's visit by clicking on the video player below.