West Ham United are proudly supporting Anti-Bullying Week 2013.
Established by the Anti-Bullying Alliance, Anti-Bullying Week is taking place between 18 and 22 November 2013, with this year's focus on cyber bullying.
The theme of Anti-Bullying Week 2013 is 'The Future Is Ours - Safe, Fun and Connected'.
Anti-Bullying Week 2013 aims to equip children and young people to challenge bullying behaviour, equip schools, colleges and youth service leaders with resources to encourage youth-led anti-bullying initiatives and, thirdly to educate those who work with children to recognise those who may be particularly vulnerable to bullying through new technologies.
Captain Kevin Nolan said he and his team-mates were fully supporting Anti-Bullying Week.
"We are very proud to be supporting Anna Kennedy Online and Anti-Bullying Week," said the skipper, who has two young children of his own.
"There is simply no place for bullying in our society today and we as a Club strongly back important issues such as this to see that bullies are given that message."
West Ham are also supporting the autism charity Anna Kennedy Online in their own 'Give Us a Break!' anti-bullying campaign.
Launched in April 2013 by Anna and her autistic son Angelo, the campaign aims to raise awareness of bullying of children with autism in schools and colleges.
"I initiated Give us a Break and contacted the Anti-Bullying Alliance and asked if they wanted to work together," explained Anna, who has been working closely with West Ham United for the past two years.
"I looked at our own school and thought that the lunch-time clubs really work for our children and that this is something that mainstream schools can tap into. It will add more structure to students affected by autism at break times.
"This is working already in many schools across the UK and I have received messages from parents who follow me on social media sites and directly from Headteachers of Schools."
Give Us a Break! is also being supported by pop star Melanie C, Melanie Masson from X-Factor, TV presenter and anti-child abuse and bullying campaigner Esther Rantzen, author Kathy Lette and Strictly Come Dancing stars Bruno Tonioli and Kristina Rihanoff.
"With campaigns such as Anna Kennedy Online, we can look to not only raise awareness of the problems so that people can get help and support,but also look to do as much as we can to make sure that we can get rid of bullying in the lives of not only the vulnerable, but every child," added West Ham captain Nolan.
"We all applaud the work that Anna Kennedy Online has already carried out in the local community, working with families affected by autism in Barking and Dagenham, Harlow, Chigwell and Newham - all areas on the doorstep of the club.
"We hope that, by highlighting the work Anna Kennedy Online is doing, more can be done to raise awareness of the problem and more can be done to help families who are already facing the challenges of bringing up an autistic child."
To show your support for Anti-Bullying Week, please visit the Anti-Bullying Alliance website for a wealth of information and resources.
http://www.anti-bullyingalliance.org/antibullyingweek
To find out more about the work done by Anna Kennedy Online, click here.
http://annakennedyonline.com/