Charity needs more money to continue
The High Sheriff of Derbyshire Mrs. Fiona Cannon JP. DL helped Derby charity Safe and Sound announce its new fundraising campaign today. Fiona has agreed to be campaign Patron. ''After visiting the project and learning about it, I understand how vitally important it is for the safety of children and young people in the city''.
The charity has been working for over eight years in the City supporting vulnerable children and young people who are the victims of sexual exploitation and abuse.
Their role in supporting children and young people, and helping to highlight the issue of sexual exploitation in the city has been widely recognised as being pivotal in securing a range of convictions against the criminals who were sentenced on 7 January 2011 for a number of sexual and other offences against children.
The charity continues to support many of the young victims involved in the case, but they are part of a much larger picture. Currently the charity is working directly with over 70 children and young people, has 25 individuals on its waiting list and is involved in running awareness raising workshops in local schools, youth clubs, community venues etc. In addition they have a team who work out on the streets, parks and other places where young people meet and may be at increased risk, as well as being involved in talking to young people at under 18's events. They're working alongside the Junior wardens in some areas of the city, including Allenton, Alvaston, Derwent, Mackworth, Osmaston and Sinfin, and also run evening sessions and activity programmes during the school holidays.
The charity is dependant on public support and donations to make sure they can continue to work with some of the cities most vulnerable and at risk children and young people, and all funds raised will help secure the future of the charity for the next few years and beyond.
The campaign is backed by growing numbers of supporters who recognise the essential role that Safe and Sound Derby plays in supporting and protecting children and young people in the city.
Russell Rigby, Director of Commercial Property and Regeneration specialists Rigby & Co is also supporting the campaign '' I learnt about the work of Safe and Sound while we were helping them find a new base and I was impressed with their work. I saw all the media coverage about Operation Retriever before Christmas and how vital Safe and Sound's support in helping the young victims and working with the police had been; reading about what's been going on escalated the work they do above a lot of work that other causes tackle. I've decided that my company will support them and we will donate the efforts of our fundraising over the next year to them. I hope that a lot of other companies and individuals will do the same''.
Detective Superintendent Debbie Platt, from Derbyshire Constabulary, said: "Safe and Sound has been an invaluable support to the force throughout the recent long-running investigation into child sexual exploitation in Derby. The group has been the Chief Constable's chosen charity for the last two years and we are happy to back them as much as we can. Child protection is the number one priority of the force and the work done by Safe and Sound makes a real difference to the welfare of young people in Derby."
''Safe and Sound provides and assists in making Derby a safer place to live, which is what Boxall, Brown and Jones would support 100%''. Steve Boxall, Boxall, Brown & Jones Chartered Valuation Surveyors and Estate Agents.
