Be First has teamed up with Dagenham and Redbridge FC to sponsor the club’s 10th Daggers Against Racism Day.
The Daggers Against Racism Day takes place alongside the East London club’s home match against Barrow AFC on Saturday 6th April, with a 3pm kick-off.
And Be First is opening up the event to the community by sponsoring 1,000 free tickets which are being distributed through the club’s community scheme.
Pat Hayes, Be First’s Managing Director, explained why the regeneration company backed the event.
He said: “There has been a rise in racist incidents in football lately, just as there has been in the country at large, so we all need to be vigilant in the fight against prejudice on and off the pitch.
“It’s why we are proud to sponsor this event and play our part in booting out bigotry in our borough and beyond.”
Dagenham and Redbridge FC’s anti-racism day started in 2010 due to the fear that the BNP, which had taken several council seats in 2006, would win a parliamentary seat at the General Election that year.
Steve Thompson, MBE, Managing Director of Dagenham and Redbridge FC, said: “The Daggers have always had a multi-racial team, with players from all over the world.
“These days give our supporters the opportunity to show their support and demonstrate that no form of discrimination will be tolerated.
“We are extremely grateful to all our sponsors but particularly Be First for this game. Their support allows us to offer such a great value day and perhaps allow some people to attend who might not normally be able to afford to come along.”
The event will be attended by The Mayor of Barking & Dagenham the Worshipful Councillor Sanchia Alasia, Leader of Barking and Dagenham Council, Cllr Darren Rodwell, the Young Mayor of Barking and Dagenham, Joshua Singh-Hill and the Youth Forum who have been supported today by the Football Supporters Federation.
And as part of the day’s entertainment Be First has helped organise fun cycling and fitness activities at the club starting from 1pm.
The ‘Pedal against Prejudice’ events are:
- Novelty bikes
- Smoothie Bikes
- Cycle 4 ALL Promotion – the Barking and Dagenham’s all-inclusive cycling club providing opportunities to those with specific needs and support, demonstrating disability is not a barrier to cycling.
- Respoke Promotion – the borough’s award-winning bicycle recycle project
- Barking and Dagenham Cycling Club promotion, with the team in attendance in full kit.
- Cycle Skills/Education Promotion – promoting Social Cycling
- Opportunities available to all borough residents, workers and those in education, Biking Riverside Project, School Training and School Cycle Clubs.
- Turbo Bike Challenge – Race against the clock over a set distance
- Miniature Bike Challenge – Race against the clock around a short course on extremely small bicycles
- Dr Bike – Providing maintenance, security advice and guidance, while any bikes in attendance can have a check over
