To celebrate Pride Month, fast food brand LEON and Deliveroo will be delivering free LGBT+ children’s books with meals throughout June.
Customers who place an order with LEON on the Deliveroo app in London, Manchester and Brighton will be able to opt in to add the books to their orders.
The books, written by author Olly Pike, celebrate inclusivity and aim to encourage children to stand up against injustice and feel comfortable being themselves.
Kenny Lives with Erica and Martina tells the story of diversity, equality and acceptance, while Prince Henry is a gay fairytale romance.
“I can't thank LEON and Deliveroo enough for helping me to deliver a positive message of LGBT+ acceptance,” Olly said.
“Pride month may be a little different this year, but together we can still share stories of equality and kindness to help encourage a brighter future for everyone.”
Olly, 33, is also the director of Pop’n’Olly, an online LGBT+ educational resource for children, carers and families.
Since 2007, the YouTube channel has had almost two million views.
The Pride month campaign aims to raise children’s awareness of the diverse range of relationships before entering secondary school.
In September, relationships and sex education (RSE) will become compulsory for all primary age pupils.
Last year, Carl Austin-Behan, LGBT advisor to the Mayor of Greater Manchester, wrote in the M.E.N how inclusive teaching leads to equality, acceptance and inclusion in young people.
“School curriculums should teach young people about ALL protected groups under the Equality Act - including LGBT people,” Carl said.
“By learning about and celebrating each other, we can build a better and more tolerant society.”
A 2019 survey conducted by research company YouGov for Amazon of more than 1,000 teachers in UK schools revealed that 13 pc of children are bullied because of their sexuality.
“Celebrating love in all its forms is at the core of the Deliveroo brand and we are proud to play our part in PRIDE once again,” Arabella Jenkins at Deliveroo said.
“We want to inspire every child to stand up against injustice and have the courage to be their truest selves.”
Alongside the campaign, LEON will also be offering customers a chance to double up on their popular vegan LOVe Burger.
As a way of doubling the amount of love, customers can choose to double the beetroot soya burger and sauce during June.
“We are so proud to be Deliveroo's Pride partners this World Pride Month,” Rebecca Di Mambro at LEON Restaurants said.
“Olly's books are brilliant, happy tales to remind us that love really is what the world needs now.”
