ENTREPRENEURS across the region have backed anti-bullying app tootoot to continue its work in schools, colleges and universities.

The company behind the app has raised more than £750,000 in Series A investment.

The app, which has already helped over a quarter of a million children, is also being developed for sports organisations and the workplace to help stamp out harassment.

It is already in operation in schools in Crewe.

Launched in September 2015, the tootoot app was conceived by CEO and co-founder Michael Brennan, following his experience of bullying and cyber-bullying while at school.

Michael, together with co-founder and tech-expert Kieran Innes, created an app that allows pupils to anonymously report concerns such as bullying and harassment.

Michael said: “Our purpose as a company is to give young people a way to raise issues, and give schools the right tools to intervene early and address these issues.

"To us it’s vital that schools are able to measure the right things, and I know from personal experience that wellbeing and academic attainment go hand in hand.

"We’re lucky that our new investors believe in the importance of a tool like this, as it gives us the ability to continue our growth and introduce tootoot to new markets to support the mental health and wellbeing of adults as well as young people.”

Developing the app alongside teachers and education governing bodies to ensure it provided a simple and safe way for schools to manage and address the concerns and ensure the wellbeing of their students has led to immediate impact.

Chris Hopkinson, non-executive director of AO.com and investor, said: “It’s important for investors to look for more in a company than an idea that can make money. If you can get behind a company and a product that have a strong social impact then that’s investment at its best.

"The personal experience and thought that lies behind tootoot means that a relatively humble app is already helping to save lives.”

Terry Flanagan MBE, former Great Britain rugby league player and Oldham captain is tootoot's chairman and an investor.

He said: “We’re all becoming more aware of the impact of bullying and harassment, not just in schools but in sport and across workplaces and society as a whole so supporting a tool that gives people a voice and helps schools and companies to prioritise mental health is an easy decision to make.

"For me it is not just about the solution, it’s the people making it happen. 

"Michael, Kieran and the team are personally invested in making a real difference, and this means we’re involved in a journey that’s both transformative and rewarding.”