Local volunteers asked to take the plunge for charity

(Date of issue: Wednesday, 23 September 2009)

Members of Carlisle & Eden CDRP are making a giant leap of faith later this week alongside young people from both districts. They are all taking part in a charity abseil at the Civic Centre, on Saturday, 26 September, starting at 9.30am.

Some of those leaping into the void from the CDRP include; Craig Mackey, Cumbria Constabulary Chief Constable, Simon Kelly, Cumbria Fire & Rescue Service North Cumbria Locality Manager, Carlisle Fire Station Manager Craig Drinkald, County and Eden District Cllr Mary Robinson and former Chairman and Eden District Cllr Tony Brunskill, alongside young people from Young Cumbria, Armathwaite and Ainstable Youth Group and Hesket Football Club.

Carlisle and Eden CDRP recognises that there is a need to join up and improve services for children and young people. Joined up working is particularly embodied by the multi-agency approach in used in both districts, specifically to prevent offending and re-offending by young people, and Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnerships (CDRPs) responsibility for cutting overall crime levels.

This event actively demonstrates the effectiveness of joined up working and aims to show that young people and adult volunteers can work together to raise money to help not only their own groups but also other local charities like CFM Cash for Kids. Challenging the perceptions our communities have of our young people and assisting and encouraging those communities to invest in their young people to help them realise their full physical, intellectual and social potential.

The willing victims are scaling down the 135 foot high (41 metre) building, supervised by local events company Distant Horizons, who will be on hand to ensure that the abseil down the ten - floor sky scraper goes safely.

Chief Constable Craig Mackey said:

"This is the first time I have ever abseiled, and when the opportunity arose to raise money for charity in this way, I thought it would give me the push I need to overcome my fear of heights.

"Young people are often labelled as troublemakers, but I hope this event shows the community how much energy and commitment the vast majority of young people have in Cumbria.

"Cumbria's police officers and PCSOs work hard every day to engage with young people, and steer the minority who engage in criminal behaviour away from a life of crime, and it is up to all of us to support them and the excellent work of charities like these."