Cartoon Network launches national anti-bullying initiative in partnership with Childline.

The channel’s campaign, CN Buddy Network, ties in with National Anti-Bullying Week in the UK. The initiative encourages kids and young people to have each other’s back, speak out against bullying and, most importantly, “Be a buddy, not a bully”.

Ian Wright appears in an on-air campaign on Cartoon Network that also includes an original series of animated shorts addressing the viewpoints of the bully, the bullied, and the observer. Kids affected by bullying – whether directly or indirectly – can immediately access professional advice, relevant tips and support tools online at www.cartoonnetwork.co.uk/beabuddy.

Ian commented: “’I teamed up with Cartoon Network and Childline to launch CN Buddy Network this year because I don’t believe that bullying at any stage of your life is acceptable. I think it’s important that children have somewhere to go so they don’t have to suffer in silence. I remember getting bullied back when I was new on the football scene, I was only 22 and people were intimated by that. My advice to kids is to speak up against bullying; that’s the first step to showing others you’ve got their back.”