Former rugby player Gareth Thomas has pledged his support to Prospero Teaching's Balls to Bullying campaign, and is to visit students across the UK in the coming months to support teachers and help youngsters settle into secondary schools.

Thomas commented 'People might not believe it to look at me - because I'm a big lad - but bullying has a lot to do with my life story, who I am and where I come from. I'm taking the Balls to Bullying campaign into schools because I hope my reputation as a sportsman in a tough game is a way of connecting with children who may be vulnerable to bullies'.