A PROJECT hoping to use football to change perceptions surrounding the armed forces and religion has been backed by a number of key figures ahead of its launch this weekend.

The Changing Perceptions initiative has already had two soft launches at Bury FC home games this season, but will be taking the next step in its mission to tackle segregation within communities at Saturday's match against Coventry.

Armed services personnel, veterans, reservists, and members of youth and faith groups have all been invited to meet at the Gigg Lane game to build new relationships and challenge misconceptions.

Former soldier Kayam Iqbal, who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, set up the project in order to unite people from different ethnic backgrounds, having previously created his own company to offer employment advice and opportunities to ex-military personnel.

Bury council leader Mike Connolly said: "Bury is a diverse, tolerant and welcoming place. But to maintain this, our approach has always been towards a 'whole community'. Citizens of all ages have a part to play in the future of Bury.

"We have seen it as vital that we encourage the participation of all sections of the community in all that we do. Our aim is for involvement to translate into real outcomes and give the community the opportunity to make changes locally."

A series of high-profile military and religious leaders have also backed project, which it is hoped can be rolled out to other football clubs across the UK.

Brigadier Christopher Coles, commander of the 42nd Infantry Brigade, said: "Through the medium of football, Changing Perceptions presents a real opportunity for all of us to better understand our different communities and hopefully dispel any misconceptions that we may have.

"I believe it will help to shape a more informed and tolerant community and therefore I wholeheartedly endorse its aspirations."

Jehangir Sarosh, executive director of Religions for Peace (RFP) UK, has also lent his support to the scheme, saying: "This notion of peace is multi-dimensional, and we work with all religions to ensure better understanding of ‘the other’, whether civilian or military, and to emphasise what we all have in common.

"Religions for Peace UK is delighted to support the Oppo Foundation and the Changing Perceptions project."

Dr Mohinder Singh, RFP UK co-president, added: "As a Sikh I welcome this great initiative, as we are all part of the Lord’s infinite creation it is important we understand each other. "We all have multiple identities as individuals. We are mothers, sisters, fathers, brothers, sons and daughters, we belong to certain professions and our passports are reminders that we have certain national identities."

To get involved in the Changing Perceptions project, and for more information: visit www.theoppofoundation.com/buryfc