Student campaigns against bullying

Sam Riley

Emily Foster has set up her own campaign in memory of her friend Sam Riley and hopes to create a fully functioning charity, with the motto: “Don't suffer, together we're tougher”.

Emily is currently organising a Summer Fair, that will be held at Queens Park on 18 August to raise funds.

16-year-old Emily has just left Oulder Hill Secondary school after completing her GCSEs. Instead of celebrating she has been busy creating the 'Brave the Bullies' campaign in memory of her friend Sam, who committed suicide at just 13 years old. 

Sam was a close friend of Miss Foster's, she said: “He faced problems with bullying since nursery. Despite the bullying he remained strong and put a brave face on for all of his friends and was always happy to help them and cheer anybody up whenever they needed it.”

Last November the charity organised a fancy dress walk for Sam’s birthday which raised around £100, and now is also creating t-shirts with the Brave the Bullies logo and Sam’s face on. These sell for £10.

On 18 August Miss Foster is planning the summer fair. Amongst the activities will be live music and go carts to entertain those in attendance. She said she is “very excited to be part of it.”

She also plans to go into schools at primary and secondary level to create workshops and assemblies where she can pass on the message of the anti bullying campaign and hopefully change the views of some people.

She said: “Sam never wanted to talk about it and some people don’t understand, if I make a difference to one person’s life and views, I think Sam would be proud of me and I will be proud of myself.”

Miss Foster’s goals for the future are to raise enough money to set up a support website with information about bullying and its consequences, and offering constant support for anyone affected by bullying.

Miss Foster’s friend, James Bannon said: “I think what she is doing is amazing and needs recognising, but also needs more people to support this cause and to help her progress with her aims and mission. What she aims to do is massive, and I think it is a nice way to remember Sam.”

Emily hopes to gain support through her twitter campaign:
www.twitter.com/BraveTheBullies

The original report on Sam’s death can be found here:
http://rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/22205/he-was-the-sunshine-of-my-life