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Merseyside Police donate shoeboxes,
bikes and tools to Caribbean islands hit by hurricanes
MERSEYSIDE Police has donated 35 bikes
as part of the relief effort to help countries in the Caribbean hit by
hurricanes.
The cycles were collected as part of the Cycles 4 the Caribbean
initiative and together with hundreds of shoeboxes containing gifts and sweets
for children will be delivered to the British Virgin Islands in time for
Christmas as part of Operation Rudolph.
The islands were left devastated
after being hit by Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Maria, in August 2017. Thousands
of people were left homeless and without basics such as food and clean water.
4 Police Officers from Merseyside Police flew out to the islands as part of a
North West contingent of Police Officers, in October 2017, to offer their
assistance and experience in helping the region get back on its feet.
In addition to the bikes in the region of
20000 shoeboxes were collected; of which 300 came from Merseyside alone;
containing:- small gifts, toys and treats for children whose homes and lives
have been affected.
The Merseyside collection was organised by Constable Daniel Holdsworth and
Sergeant Ian McPhail from Merseyside's Safer Roads Unit with the assistance of
Merseyside Property Store, Dave Riley and specialist mechanics from Liverpool
charity Peloton Coop City Bikes. It was shipped with the assistance of Simon Gee
on behalf of Team Rubicon UK; a disaster response veterans' service
organisation.
Updates so far
are:-
► Gifts were also donated by Merseyside Caribbean Centre, Wirral based Tri 4
life Triathlon club and Police forces from across the UK.
► The bikes and shoe boxes were shipped out over the weekend and are expected to
land at the islands, on 17 December 2017.
► Work will continue to send more bikes and tools to the devastated islands.
Assistant Chief Constable Julie Cooke said:-
"Merseyside Police is pleased to support the ongoing aid effort in the
British Virgin Islands. Last month four Officers from the Force flew out
voluntarily to offer their help as the islands try to return to normality. To
assist this effort we have also, on behalf of other Police Forces in the North
West of England, collected a number of children's bikes and staff have donated
shoeboxes for the children for Christmas. I hope this small gesture will in some
way go to help the residents of BVI as they continue to get their lives back on
track."
Merseyside's Police Commissioner Jane Kennedy said:- "A huge amount of
work has gone into collecting these bikes, tools and Christmas shoe boxes to
send to families in the Caribbean whose lives were devastated by Hurricane Irma.
This effort typifies the compassion, generosity and goodwill of the men and
women of Merseyside and I applaud everyone who has rolled up their sleeves and
got involved. In particular, I applaud the Officers who have organised the
collection and delivery of these wonderful donations. They should be really
proud that through their efforts they will be making a difference to those in
terrible need of help."
The Liverpool Commonwealth Association has also set up a Just Giving page to
raise money to supply bicycles, tools and general building materials to help
communities across the Caribbean.
For more information and to donate go to their Just Giving
Page 'Cycles For The Caribbean.'
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Merseyside will light up
Orange
for anti-domestic violence campaign
SOME of Merseyside's most iconic
buildings will glow orange on Saturday, 25 November 2017, in support of a UN's
campaign to break down the wall of silence surrounding domestic violence. The
International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and the region
is showing its support with a two week long campaign to raise awareness about
how people can support friends and relatives by helping them to speak out.
Orange is the official colour of the UNiTE campaign, symbolizing a brighter
future free from violence against women and girls, and numerous buildings will
be lit in solidarity, between 5pm to 7pm, during the 16 days of action.
The venues include:- The Town Halls of Birkenhead, Bootle, Liverpool and
Wallasey, Merseyside Police's HQ, the Cunard Building, Radio City Tower, St
Luke's Church (aka The Bombed Out Church), Liverpool's Central Library and
Crosby, the Floral Pavilion Theatre and Conference Centre in New Brighton and
Greystone footbridge in Knowsley.
Radio adverts will also be aired as part of the awareness campaign, funded by
Liverpool's City Safe partnership, to promote
WomensAid.Org.UK website, which acts as a
one stop shop in providing information and details for support and advice for
those suffering domestic violence.
According to the United Nations, 1 in 9 women in the UK annually suffer from
domestic violence and 2 are killed each week.
The U.N. has called on international support for their UNiTE campaign which
begins on 25 November and ends after 16 days of action on 10 December 2017,
Human Rights Day, celebrating the signing of the famous U.N. charter in 1948.
This year people are asked to also use the hashtag '#endvaw' along
with '#orangetheworld' and '#16days.'
People across Merseyside are also encourage to wear an item of orange clothing
throughout the campaign and show their support via social media.
Cllr Ann O'Byrne, Deputy Mayor of Liverpool and Chair of City Safe Partnership,
said:- "Sadly violence against women and girls is an issue that even in
this day and age needs tackling. Abuse comes in many forms and with the rise of
the internet and social media means abusers have developed new ways to
intimidate and silence their victims. Friends and relatives of victims have a
huge role to play in spotting signs and offering to listen. Often it is the
first step in speaking out which is the hardest and we all know abusers love the
sound of silence. I'm delighted we have such iconic landmarks turning orange on
Saturday evening to showcase Liverpool ‘s support but even if people wear an
item of orange clothing over the 16 days and share that on social media, that
small gesture would be greatly appreciated. By raising awareness and providing
the tools to educate people hopefully we can break down these walls and save
lives."
Merseyside's Deputy Police Commissioner Cllr Emily Spurrell, said:- "It is
completely unacceptable that violence remains a part of daily life for some
women and girls, either in the community or in their own homes. Today we are
taking a stand against abuse to make it clear it will not be tolerated. By
wearing orange and lighting up some of Merseyside's most iconic buildings in
this vibrant colour, we are sending out a clear, visible message that we are
supporting the UNiTE campaign for a brighter future for women and girls, free
from violence and abuse. I hope that some of those women who do feel frightened
and trapped realise they don't need to suffer in silence and that there are lots
of people and organisations who will help them if they need it. Merseyside
Police is 1 of those organisations and I'm proud that headquarters will be
glowing orange today to let all victims know that the Police are on hand to help
you to get the care and protection you need if you are escaping an abusive or
violent situation. I am also proud to be working with our Metro Mayor, Steve
Rotheram, and a host of partners to create a strategy aimed at putting a stop to
all Violence and Woman and Girls in our region."
Cllr Trish Hardy, Sefton Council's Cabinet Member for Communities and Housing,
said:- "In Sefton we have a vision where girls and women live equally
alongside men, free from harassment and abuse. The colour orange was chosen to
symbolise a brighter future without violence and we are proud to be part of the
call to action by lighting up our buildings. More than 100,000 women and girls
in the UK are at risk of abuse. This needs to stop. In Sefton we fully support
the 16 days of action to end all abuse against women and girls. We want everyone
to join our call today, so that we may have a better tomorrow."
Detective Superintendent Richie Salter from Investigations, Protecting
Vulnerable People said:- "We are very happy to support this campaign,
which sends out a powerful message that women are suffering in silence and we
have to encourage people to talk about what they are experiencing and seeing. We
want men and women who know that offences are being committed but remain silent,
as well as victims to get in contact. We all need to work together, not just the
police with our partners in the local authority, NHS or charities but with
members of the public to break the silence. White Ribbon Day and the following
16 days is a time to remember those that have suffered domestic violence but
also to look forward in the hope of eliminating violence against women.
Merseyside Police is dedicated to tackling all forms of domestic abuse. We want
anyone suffering in silence to know we have specially trained officers to
investigate domestic crime. We are focussed on listening not only to those that
are victims, but those that know people who are victims. We want them to come
forward in confidence so we can take action."
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