Charity fights crime by giving cash to support aid projects

The High Sheriffs’ and Humberside Police Tribune Trust has awarded more than £20,000 to 14 community anti-crime projects, ranging from initiatives to protect young people to others designed to engage them in positive lifestyles.

The trust has seen an increase in the number of applications for help because of pressure on the voluntary sector and grant-giving bodies, and is helping many groups stay afloat by encouraging them to work together and pool resources.

Trust director Geoff Ogden, a former head of CID at Humberside Police, said: “With my background I’m very much aware that across Humberside there are some excellent projects involving the police, fire brigade and the voluntary sector, including Lifestyle, the Rock Challenge and the Night Challenge.

“These are difficult times economically and some funding that was available from Government and local government has been lost to organisations so we are encouraging people to work closely together and with the police and that’s happening.”

He added: “There has been an increase in applications for support in the current economic climate but we are encouraged by the close working between all the groups and particularly the involvement of neighbourhood police officers. These projects tackle all aspects of crime, victims, detection, prevention and diversion.”

A wide range of projects are among the recipients in the latest round of funding.

A grant of £2,500 goes to the Corner House care project in Hull, which supports young people who have been sexually exploited or are in danger. It is the third grant the trust has made to the scheme.

At the smaller end of the scale is an award of £500 to the Northside sporting group on the city’s Boothferry estate. This is a successful street dance project whose members are due to compete in a World Street Dance competition in Blackpool later this year.

A grant of £1,500 – largely from the former Lord Lieutenant of the East Riding, Richard Marriott and his wife – will buy a light-weight motorcycle for police to use in combating rural crime in the Boynton area.

Tweendykes community allotments in Hull will get £1,500 to invest in security measure to protect the site. Its 80 plots are used by about 180 local residents including children from a special school and a pupil referral unit, but its future was under threat because of repeated attacks by offenders.

Other projects in Hull, Bridlington, Scunthorpe. Winterton and Bubwith also benefit.

The biggest award is a grant of £5,000 to next year’s Lifestyle Humber Night Challenge, which engages 150 teenagers aged between 13 and 17 in challenging outward bound activities, with some graduating to attend a national outward bound course run by the Outward Bound Trust.

The Tribune trust, which was formed almost 11 years ago by the then Chief Constable David Westwood and the High Sheriffs of the region, awards about £60,000 a year in grants.

It relies entirely on donations from individuals and businesses, including practical non-financial support. Trust chairman Hugh Bethell urged anyone able and willing to support the trust to get in touch.

He said: “The trust believes in supporting Humberside Police in every aspect of reducing crime and helping the vulnerable. Our funds come from individual and local businesses who want to make our area a safer and better place to live and do business.

“In its small way, the trust does make a difference, so if any business or individual wants to help us in our aims please contact us.”

To find out more call Geoff Ogden on (01482) 334833, or email [email protected].