Reform UK-led Sunderland City Council has withdrawn its support for Wear Red Day, a national anti-racism campaign run by charity Show Racism the Red Card (SRtRC), bringing an end to the authority’s longstanding affiliation with the initiative.

The decision was announced at a council meeting this week, prompting disappointment from the charity, which said Sunderland had traditionally demonstrated a “welcoming, inclusive and anti-racist attitude”.

Show Racism the Red Card was established in 1996 after then-Newcastle United goalkeeper Shaka Hislop made a donation to help launch the organisation. The charity uses the high-profile status of football and footballers to challenge racism and has since expanded its work into other sports and engaged a range of public figures.

Wear Red Day will take place on October 16, bringing together schools, workplaces, community organisations, sports clubs and individuals to demonstrate opposition to racism and support for a fairer and more inclusive society.

Sunderland City Council leader Chris Eynon said the authority would not support “politically charged organisations with an agenda” and accused SRtRC chief executive Ged Grebby of “stark political bias” in his comments about Reform.

Grebby said he was “disappointed” by the council’s decision.

“Show Racism the Red Card has worked with Sunderland City Council throughout its 30-year history, and are proud of the charity’s north-east roots,” he said.

“In our experience, the people of Sunderland have traditionally demonstrated a welcoming, inclusive and anti-racist attitude, and believe it is important that voters see this decision as further evidence that the council are unsupportive of equality, diversity and inclusion initiatives.”

In a statement, SRtRC said the decision came at a time when its work was “more important than ever”.

“At a time when racism is on the rise throughout the UK and Europe, support for initiatives like Wear Red Day and the work of anti-racism organisations is more important than ever,” it said.

“[Support demonstrates] visible solidarity with those who face racism and prompts conversations about the treatment of people based on aspects of their identity.”

Reform UK Wearside, meanwhile, said it wanted to be “absolutely clear that this decision should not be interpreted as the council stepping back from its opposition to racism or discrimination”.

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