Home & Away

(Date of issue: Thursday, 18 December 2008)

A photo opportunity has been arranged on Friday 19 December at which Carlisle Safe Scheme will present Carlisle United player Chris Lumsdon with a cheque for £100. The media are invited to attend the event being held at Trinity Leisure Centre, between 7.15pm and 9.30pm on the evening of Friday 19 December.

The Safe Scheme is aimed at 11-17 year olds, designed to encourage them to participate in sport and physical activity and meet new friends in a safe environment. The initiative is run jointly by Tracy Gannon from the City Council Sports and Recreation Team and Pc Kath Paterson Local Policing Team Officer for Carlisle North.

Over 60 kids who take part in the project have raised this money, they donated the cash during the space of a month from their 50p weekly subs. Several of the young people that take part in the project heard about the ‘One Step Beyond’ project run by Carlisle United and wanted to help.

The ‘One Step Beyond’ project started because Carlisle United wanted to use the Madness hit of the same name at Brunton Park for home games. Madness agreed to this as long as royalties were donated to APNEEF (Asociacion de Niños con Necesidades Especiales de Ibiza y Formentera) a charity based in Ibiza and Formentera in the Balearic Islands supported by Chas Smash from the band. APNEEF supports over 100 children with severe physical and mental disability and their families, the work of the charity is invaluable in helping to make these children’s lives better.

Carmen Boned, President of APNEEF said: ‘’ we can only thank them and the people of Carlisle for all their kindness and efforts, and of course, their wonderful package of games for our children and we look forward to strengthening the bond between us over time.’’

Carlisle City Cllr Ray Bloxham Portfolio holder for Environment & Infrastructure said:

‘’it is wonderful to see the young people of the city coming together in such a productive and thoughtful way in seeking to offer the hand of friendship to young people in a different country. This is the sort of example that young people everywhere can learn from those involved in the Safe Scheme should be very proud.’’

Tracy Gannon from the Sports and Recreation Team at Carlisle City Council said:

’’ the Safe project is deigned to get kids in the city involved in sport and physical activity and to help them to help themselves. What has worked amazingly well is the fact that the kids themselves have done something very positive in contributing towards such a worthwhile cause and I am extremely proud of what the kids have achieved. ‘’

Pc Kath Paterson from Cumbrian Constabulary said:

 ‘’this is a fantastic achievement and we are so proud of the young people that attend the Safe Scheme. The scheme goes from strength to strength and the kindness shown by the kids donating their subs to such a worthwhile cause. This only goes to prove the positive impact the scheme is having on the 60 plus young people that attend weekly.’’

Chris Lumsdon from Carlisle United said:

’’ its great to see young people helping others and the kids involved with the Safe Scheme should be really proud of what they have done.’’