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18 MONTH
NATIONAL TREK FOR TRAFFICKING VICTIMS REACHES MERSEYSIDE
A 70 year old man is
heading to Merseyside as part of an 18 month sponsored walk across
the UK to raise £100,000, for The Salvation Army's work with homeless
people and victims of human trafficking.
Andy Peddle started his epic journey on 16 May 2012, at the Shetland
Islands and is walking to 130 Salvation Army Churches (Corps), Lifehouses and charity shops throughout the UK.
He is donning a top hat and tails as he arrives in Merseyside on 14
September 2012 and will spend four days walking through Birkenhead,
Moreton, Wallasey, Liverpool, Everton, Bootle and Southport before
leaving the county on 17 September 2012 as he continues into
Lancashire.
When he arrives at each Salvation Army base, he will give a talk
about the issues of human trafficking and homelessness. Andy has
just turned 70 during his walkathon and hopes to raise awareness and
much-needed funds to help others.
He said:- "The Salvation Army has a long history of offering
practical support to people who are vulnerable or in need. We are
there for 3,500 homeless men, women and families every night.
This is a personal pilgrimage too, we are renting out our home and
my wife has re-located to the central location of Leeds whilst I am
raising the money. I have a support van following me on my trek so I
can have a break and sleep wherever needed."
Andy, from High Wycombe in Buckinghamshire, is keen to see people
support him by doing their own 'mini' sponsored walks of one mile or
more, and for them to put pictures of the places they visit on
Facebook, Twitter and Flickr.
He added:- "I want people over the age of 65 to realise that
life does go on and that you can volunteer and get involved. I would
love to see as many people as possible support me."
Major Michael Highton, Divisional Leader of The Salvation Army in
the North West, said:- "The Salvation Army hopes that, as a
culture, we will start viewing people who are 'homeless' as people
who have a contribution to play in our society. It is fantastic that
Andy is taking on this personal pilgrimage to help those truly in
need."
Andy has already completed a 8,000 trek to raise money for Africa
families living in poverty.
S.A.F.E. - UPDATE
THE next meeting of the
'Southport
Access For Everyone' forum will be held at Victoria Methodist
Church, Sussex Road, Southport PR8 6DG, on Monday 24 September 2012
at 7.00 pm.
Anyone with an interest in disability issues is welcome.
This is a free public meeting.
The premises are fully
accessible for wheelchair users, with adequate car parking
facilities, and light refreshments will be served before the meeting
commences.
Website for more information:-
southportaccessforeveryone.org.
Further enquiries go to our website or telephone:- 07866531036.
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Racially abusive
vandals paint Italian restaurant
A local Italian restaurant
in Southport's Town Centre was attacked by vandals in the early
hours of 11 September 2012. Ciccio's Restaurant on Avondale Rd,
Southport, has been one of Southport's hidden gem for years and has
a good relationship with the residents in the road and in the local
area. Many of the locals have expressed that they are shocked
and dismayed that the restaurant has been targeted by vandals. As
our readers can see, the vandals targeted the signs and walls. Some
of the wording was racially abusive, along with explicit language.
The vandalism has shocked not only the staff and owner of the the
venue, but the residents in the area. These photographs taken by
Pepe are of the racial abusive graffiti. The owner, Pepe, sent
us these photos and told us:- "This is how I found the
restaurant on Tuesday morning. I am shocked! Many locals have
come in to see if we are ok. We are and I would like to thank the
local residents and our customers for their support."
The vandalism has also be slammed on Facebook, with
many offers to help clean it up being sent to the owner. one of the
staff said:- "It is disheartening to find this has happened.
Times are hard and then your boss finds this..? What is wrong with
people?" Also a regular customer told us:- "The staff
are always friendly. It is awful! I have always thought Southport
was a friendly place. Open to all. Sadly it looks like their is a
few undesirables have moved in to our town and have other ideas.
Lets hope the Police find them before they do any more damage to our
town's friendly and open image." Another local resident also
added:- "I am appalled. I am so sorry to see this has happened
to them. It is shocking to think this could happen in
Southport." Merseyside Police have added that:- "Merseyside
Police can confirm an investigation has been launched after
offensive graffitti was sprayed on the outside of a business
premises on Avondale Road in Southport last week. The graffiti was
reported to police on the morning of Tuesday, 11 September
2012. The graffiti has been classified as a hate crime
and is being investigated by the dedicated Sigma team. House to
house enquiries are being undertaken and the Council will be
removing the graffiti. Merseyside Police do not tolerate any
form of hate crime and would urge anyone who has any information on
this particular incident, particularly if they saw any suspicious
behaviour in the nearby area between the hours of 2pm Monday 10
September and the morning of 11 September 2012, to contact
Merseyside Police on:- 101 or Crimestoppers on:- 0800 555 111 ."
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