Bolton charity campaigner condemns racist online abuse

A YOUNG Bolton ambassador, who has dedicated his life to supporting disadvantaged children, has condemned racist abuse he has received online.

Saeed Atcha MBE, from Deane, shared an e-mail he received claiming he is ‘not British’ and to ‘keep your opinions to yourself’ in a post on Twitter.

He said in the post he is subject to ‘frequent racial abuse’ which is ‘depressingly exhausting’ to him. He says he will now be taking a break from the 'toxicity' of social media.

The 25-year-old is founding chief executive of Youth Leads UK, a charity he established aged 15, which has supported more than 7,000 disadvantaged young people across Greater Manchester with access to volunteering opportunities and skills development programmes.

Mr Atcha is also a Deputy Lieutenant of Greater Manchester and until October 31 was the social mobility commissioner for the government.

He said: “I am really proud of the work I did at the Social Mobility Commission. I was appointed when I was only 22.

"What I can say that I’m really proud of, is the commitment from businesses up and down the country to employ more working-class young people. But the fundamental truth of social mobility remains stark.

“Now that my time as a commissioner has come to end, I’m looking forward to getting back onto the frontline at my organisation, Youth Leads UK. I’m really excited to work directly with young people again - to inspire them, to build their skills and give them the opportunity to influence change across society.

“I see my work at Youth Leads UK, Pennine Care and Bolton at Home as incredibly important as we come out of the pandemic. Young people have lost a lot of learning - particularly life skills - so I’ll continue to fly the flag for young people at decision-making levels.”

Saeed added he will not let any racist abuse he encounters discourage him from his work.

He said: “It’s sad to still face racism despite all of my working life has been to improve the life chances of children and young people across the UK.

"I see very little racism from young people which just goes to show how engaged in society they are and it’s young people that I serve. Racism will not deter me from my work. It will push me to work harder and further for equality.”

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