AN equalities and diversity campaigner from Crediton has been shortlisted for a National Diversity Award.

Alan Quick is one of seven finalists in the Positive Role Model Award LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans) category.

The editorial manager of the Crediton Courier newspaper (a sister publication of the Okehampton Times) and also a DJ, Alan has been actively campaigning against racism and homophobia since the death of his late friend Justin Fashanu, the first £1-million black footballer, who was also the first UK professional footballer to come out as gay.

Alan is is a member of Exeter City Football Club’s One Game Community (Kick it Out) group, a supporter of LGBT-friendly Devon Lions and Isca Apollo Football Clubs, Stonewall, Kick it Out and a member of Devon FA’s Inclusion Advisory Group. Alan was the founder of Proud Grecians, the Exeter City FC LGBT+ and allies supporters group. He is a trustee for anti-bullying charity Local Heroes and also a trustee for X-Plore, which runs LGBT youth clubs in Devon.

Alan was the inspiration behind the establishment of Exeter Pride and also organised the first hugely successful Crediton Diversity Festival in November last year.

In May this year he was presented with a commendation award from then Lord Mayor of Exeter Cllr Rob Hannaford for services to charity, anti-racism, inclusion and diversity.

He is among 124 nominees to reach the final stages of the National Divesity Awards out of more than 28,000 people put forward. He will find out if he is a winner at a ceremony in Liverpool Anglican Cathedral on September 20.

He said: ‘I would like to thank all those who voted for me in the early stages of the awards and hope that any publicity will help support the charities and aims and objectives I have been supporting over the years.’