Penrith Panther Josh Manour tackles bullying at the 2013 Community Carnival

PENRITH Panther Josh Mansour has joined 350 players in an attempt to end to bullying.

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PENRITH Panther Josh Mansour has joined television personality, anti-bullying advocate and rugby league fan Charlotte Dawson in launching the 2013 Community Carnival, which will focus on putting an end to bullying.

PENRITH Panther Josh Mansour has joined television personality, anti-bullying advocate and rugby league fan Charlotte Dawson in launching the 2013 Community Carnival, which will focus on putting an end to bullying.

Mansour will be one of 350 players from all 16 NRL clubs who will travel more than 40,000km during the 28 days of the carnival, which kicks off on Thursday.

Panthers players will head west on February 7-8 to more than 30 schools in Bathurst, Orange, Blayney and Portland.

Mansour, 22, said he had not been bullied, but the issue remained one he felt "very strongly about".

"I have two younger sisters and as their older brother I don't want to see them go through this growing trend that so many kids seem to be going through," he said.

"You hear so many stories about young kids taking their own lives or going through massive depression because of bullying in person and online.

"It just has to stop. I am proud to be speaking out about what so many bullied kids must be scared to talk about themselves."

The Panthers are planning a blitz in Penrith on Monday, February 25.

ON THEIR AGENDA

During the 2013 Community Carnival, NRL players will deliver lessons on the impact of bullying and the importance of building positive self-esteem via a powerful DVD

They will distribute 25,000 anti-bullying pens, 10,000 water bottles, 3200 bags, pencil cases and stationery sets, 30,000 wrist bands and 150,000 player and ambassador cards.