Evening of celebration for Cleveland Street Angels

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An evening of celebration in thanks for the work of Cleveland Street Angels was held at Stockton Baptist Tabernacle last night, Wednesday 23rd October.

The evening was attended by Chief Constable Jacqui Cheer and Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Barry Coppinger, along with representatives from Cleveland Street Angels and Local Authorities.

A cheque for £1,000 was also presented to the Street Angels by PCC Coppinger which was donated from the Police Property Act Fund. Certificates were also handed out in recognition of their work.

The Cleveland Street Angels project began four years ago and now has over 100 volunteers, aged between 18 and 82, within the Cleveland area. Those involved volunteer their time on a busy night time over the weekend when those who enjoy a night out are potentially at their most vulnerable.

They can provide everything from advice to first aid and flip-flops to lollipops and can often assist people in getting home after a night out or providing first aid and accompanying someone who may need medical assistance until emergency services arrive at the scene.

Barry Coppinger said: “The work carried out by the Street Angels is absolutely invaluable. They provide support and advice to those who are vulnerable, perhaps impaired through drink or drugs, or in need or first aid or those who are simply in need of someone to talk to.

“The commitment and dedication of the volunteers is commendable and hopefully the money which has been donated through the Police Property Act Fund will go some way towards helping them continue their service to those in Cleveland.”

Chief Constable Jacqui Cheer said: “The celebration evening has been arranged as a way of saying thank you to the volunteers and organisers who are involved with Cleveland Street Angels for their hard work, commitment and dedication.

“The Street Angels provide a highly visible presence in our towns late at night on busy weekends when people who are using the night time facilities are potentially at their most vulnerable and when our officers are usually at their busiest. They not only provide support to these vulnerable people but they also support the emergency services in many ways and I am very pleased to be able to attend the ceremony tonight to express my gratitude on behalf of Cleveland Police.”

Stockton Town Pastors Project Manager, Steve Brock, said: “The commitment and passion of all 100 Street Angels in the Cleveland area is truly commendable, and our presence and activity within the night-time economy in our town centres is clearly appreciated by all of those who work in and enjoy that environment.  It is wonderful that our contribution is recognised by the Chief Constable and Police and Crime Commissioner, and indeed by all those who serve with Cleveland Police.  That the Chief and PCC took the time to personally sign each of the certificates awarded to our volunteers is a clear mark of their desire to acknowledge individual contribution, and is highly valued by each of us. 

“The celebration event was a great success, with over 250 enjoying an informative and entertaining evening with many new friendships being formed across our region. We are grateful to the PCC for the donation from the Police Property Act fund, which will contribute towards ensuring our volunteers remain supported and equipped to carry on with this work.”