TWO young people in Basingstoke have won a competition to raise awareness of hate crime in the area.

The annual competition run by the Basingstoke Hate Crime Awareness Group (BHCAG) encourages eight to 19-year-olds to create an entry on the theme of Respectful and Welcoming to highlight hate crame. 

The winning entries were a poem called Everybody is Welcome by 11-year-old Aoife and a video created by young person Matteo, called Spread Love Not Hate accompanied by a No Hate Just Love poster.

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Entrants were asked to think about what hate crime means to them when producing their poem, a short piece of written work, drawing or video.

Aoife and Matteo were presented with gift vouchers from BHCAG as well as t-shirts and wristbands from the Spectrum Centre for Independent Living in Southampton by the Mayor of Basingstoke and Deane, Cllr David Leeks on Thursday, October 26 at the Civic Offices in Basingstoke.

Cllr Leeks said: "The competition provided a great opportunity to mark National Hate Crime Awareness Week 2023 and it was a pleasure to present the awards to the competition winners.”

Graham Hatcher, chair of BHCAG, said: "Being a victim of hate crime can leave a person fearful, isolated and vulnerable.

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“It can also severely undermine their sense of safety in their school, college and community.

“It impacts greatly on self-confidence and self-worth and can lead to depression, anxiety and, in extreme cases, suicide.

“This competition raises awareness of hate crime, and the winning entries show incredible talent, giving us a real 'wow' moment and showing how the two young people enjoy the diversity of our world. Their family, friends and teachers must all be so incredibly proud of their work."

For more information or to join BHCAG, email BHCAG@bvaction.org.uk.