Brother of aid worker murdered by Isis terrorists tackles extremism in Bedford schools talks Bedford News

A man whose brother was killed by Isis terrorists in Syria gave talks to students in Bedford as part of his nationwide tour to fight extremism.

Mike Haines – founder of Global Acts of Unity – has taken a virtual tour of Goldington Academy and Mark Rutherford School.

In 2014, footage of the execution of her brother, British aid worker David Haines, was released.

David was working for a non-governmental organization that was helping Syrian refugees when he was captured by Isis terrorists and murdered with the footage being released to the world.

Now Mike Haines is on a tour to share his personal journey and spread a message of unity, tolerance and understanding.

He said: “The devastating loss of my brother had a life-changing impact for my family. We continue to feel his loss every day. It has not been an easy path to channel this pain into a powerful, positive force for good. But it was the right one.

“Talking to students at Bedford makes sure people know how to resist hate. By standing together, with acceptance and understanding, we will overcome those who seek to divide us.

“The pandemic has not made it easier to connect with young people, but I am grateful for the virtual world as I am still able to zoom my message out to students.”

A school spokesperson Mark Rutherford said: “Mike gave a session to our Grade 10 cohort which fully involved both staff and students throughout the session.

“The session was informative but delivered with a lot of emotion that hooked the students with every word from Mike. It is not often an external speaker who can engage a group of teens as effectively as Mike did.”