Public Profile
Act Against Bullying has a high media presence which has not been without controversy owing to its glamorous profile. As well as a range of notable voluntary advisors including Hamish Brown MBE, UK’s leading authority on the Protection from Harassment Act 1997 and ex-Fire Commissioner Brian Robinson, many celebrities have appeared in support of the charity at its fundraising events including Hayley Westenra and Duaine Ladejo. Another was Big Brother star Jade Goody who was brought along as a guest to the Act Against Bullying Cup in 2005 in Windsor.
In January 2007 after Goody’s alleged racist bullying behaviour towards fellow Celebrity Big Brother contestant Bollywood star Shilpa Shetty the charity received a number of angry emails and phone calls asking for references to Goody to be removed from the Act Against Bullying website. The charity removed a photograph of Goody and published a statement on their website criticising the confrontational format of the Channel 4 show but which appeared to condone Goody’s behaviour. The statement was posted on the Digital Spy Formum by a viewer along with an allegation that Goody was the charity’s patron.
On 16 January 2007, the national media published the same story and Act Against Bullying was inundated with angry and abusive emails. On the same day, charity founder Louise Burfitt-Dons featured on UK international media stations to refute the fact that Jade Goody was ever a spokesperson or officially linked with the organisation. She claimed that Goody had been brought along as a guest at a function where she had bid for polo lessons with Jack Kidd (see Jodie Kidd) who was a charity supporter.
Other celebrities attending that day were Nick Knowles and Julian Bennett. She made a further donation to Act Against Bullying in 2006 following Goody’s mother Jackiey Budden appearance in a homemaker TV show. Burfitt-Dons published a further statement expressing admiration for the way in which Shilpa Shetty had dealt with the bullying. Shilpa Shetty’s management contacted Act Against Bullying to offer Shilpa’s support for the charity in place of Jade.
Other personalities who have been linked with Act against Bullying are Jen Hunter who was publicly humiliated on a TV show over her height. Big Brother contestant Liza Jeynes contacted Act Against Bullying for support over her suicide attempts over cyberbullying and her story is featured on their website. Act Against Bullying has a young following and Joseph McManners has been photographed for them when he attended a function as well as the 20 year old Hugo Boss model Nicholas Joyce who is a loyal supporter. They have recently worked with Britain's Got Talent 2008 finalists martial arts duo Strike.
In 2008 Fashion Showcase Wales sponsored by L'Oreal was held in support Act Against Bullying at the Swalec Stadium in Cardiff. in 2011 Act Against Bullying's posters and campaign messages featured in the The Inbetweeners Movie
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