Our Patrons & Ambassadors

Rugby Referee Nigel Owens helps blow whistle on Bullying

World famous Welsh international rugby referee Nigel Owens has agreed to become the patron of anti-bullying charity BulliesOut.

BulliesOut was established in May 2006 and provides help, support and information to individuals, schools, youth and community settings affected by bullying.

The 38 yr old Welshman said “Bullying creates a negative environment and the long term effects can be emotionally detrimental. The experience of being bullied can end up causing lasting damage”. Founder of BulliesOut, Linda James said ‘We are honoured to have the support of Nigel Owens. Bullying has such a negative affect on a person’s physical and emotional well-being and Nigel is someone who has genuine empathy for our beneficiaries and the work we do. As a patron of BulliesOut, Nigel’s high profile support will enhance its credibility in the charity sector and significantly improve our network and reach’.

Mr Owens continues “People should be allowed to be themselves and to be honest with themselves without feeling that there is anything wrong with them. BulliesOut are working towards creating environments whereby young people who are being bullied, or witness bullying, feel empowered to speak out, thus creating a ‘culture of telling’ “. Nigel Owens is a Welsh international rugby union referee. He is an international and Heineken Cup referee and was the only Welsh referee at the 2007 Rugby World Cup in France. A former school technician at Ysgol Gyfun Maes Yr Yrfa Cefneithin and youth worker with Menter Cwm Gwendraeth, Owens was appointed as an international referee in 2005, and that year officiated his first international between Ireland and Japan in Osaka. Along with Wayne Barnes of England and Marius Jonker of South Africa, Owens made his World Cup debut in Lyon, France on 11 September 2007 for the Argentina vs. Georgia match. He is only one of two referees ever to be appointed to referee two consecutive Heineken Cup finals: Munster v Toulouse at the Millennium Stadium in 2008 and Leicester Tigers v Leinster at Murrayfield in 2009. He is also known as one of the presenters on Jonathan, a rugby-themed chat show hosted by former Welsh international Jonathan Davies, broadcast on S4C on the eve of big international matches. He also co-presents the sports-themed chat show Bwrw’r Bar. In November 2008 he released his autobiography in Welsh called “Hanner Amser” which means Half Time. The English version was launched at the end of October 2009.Owens was born and bred in a small village called Mynyddcerrig in the Gwendraeth Valley in South Wales, but now lives a few miles away in Pontyberem.

Anysha Panesar Ambassador: Anysha Panesar (Americas Perfect Teen)

With media coverage from Dubai to the United States, Anysha Panesar has truly defined herself as a worldwide media darling. The press is tough to handle, but her ability to show grace and humility under fire, combined with a great sense of couture style gives her a distinct place in the pageantry hall of fame.

Anysha is dedicated to creating awareness not just about beauty, but has also championed the issue of bullying which will be a topic she will speak on throughout the year. Anysha said, “I find it important to use my title and my visibility to create more opportunities for me to speak from my heart. It is never easy to stand out and I want to help young people like me understand that you have to stand up to bullies by overcoming with grace and personal integrity.

I’m absolutely honoured to become an ambassador for Bullies Out. It is such a worthwhile charity and one that is very dear to my heart. I am really looking forward to helping them raise awareness of the challenges that people face when they are affected by bullying and how these challenges can be positively overcome!”

Anysha has had her own personal struggle with bullying after she was ostracised and isolated whilst at school. Anysha now wishes to share her story with young people across the world.

Leon Taylor 2004 Olympic silver medallist in Diving, Leon Taylor endorses our work

“Bullying in schools is still a major concern and I am proud to support the excellent work of BulliesOut. Only 4 years old, BulliesOut has helped thousands of young people affected by bullying through their work in schools and offering much needed support online.

I suffered at the hands of bullies whilst at school, so I know just what effects it can have on a young person. Although I wasn’t physically abused, the bullying left a deep impression on me and it’s this personal experience that makes me passionate about the work of BulliesOut “.