Westlife star spearheads anti-bullying campaign

Westlife singer Mark Feehily is pictured as part of the ISPCC anti-bullying campaign. The image contains the caption, "Imagine if every child went to sleep without fearing what the next day would bring."


Calry native and Westlife star Mark Feehily is among those who is spearheading an ISPCC anti-bullying campaign. Mark who suffered from bullying himself is joined in the campaign by well known ISPCC ambasadors Jedward, Saoirse Ronan, Louis Walsh and Laura Whitmore and they all agreed to be photographed, portrayed as the victims of bullying.
The ISPCC has launched the anti-bullying awareness campaign to highlight the effect that bullying can have on young peoples’ lives; their self-esteem, their mental health and their sense of belonging.
Last year the Childline service received around 2,300 calls and messages everyday from young people with almost a quarter of these contacts relating to abuse and welfare, including bullying as well as issues around mental health. Bullying can impact greatly on a young person’s development leading to isolation, loneliness, depression and low self-esteem.
In recent years there have been some high profile and tragic cases, highlighting the detrimental and sometimes fatal effect of ongoing bullying and harassment.
Speaking at the launch of the campaign Mark Feehily said, “I know at first hand how the impact of being bullied as a teenager can quite literally last a lifetime and I thought that if we could involve well known ISPCC ambassadors perhaps people will think twice about bullying or indeed allowing bullying to happen”.
Ashley Balbirnie, CEO, ISPCC said “We are very grateful to Mark Feehily and our ambassadors for their support in raising awareness of this important issue. At the ISPCC we strive to fight for children’s rights and bullying is something that is happening in many young peoples’ everyday lives. From listening to children everyday, we know this to be true.
“Through our Childline service we hear first hand the stories of abuse and isolation that so many are experiencing. Through this campaign we hope that many of these can find the courage to tell someone.”
All those that took part in this particular campaign gave their services for free from photographer Barry McCall, make up artist Tom McInerney, JCDecaux, PML Poster Management, Screenlink and IPA Posters to the individual ambassadors.
Mark added, “Everyone involved believes strongly that the message that emanates from each shot is a simple one. Bullying and abuse whether verbal, physical or emotional is unacceptable in today’s society”.