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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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