advertisement
Project looks to expand
July 03, 2008
Funds are being raised to extend a project which provides late-night revellers in Fleet town centre with free hot drinks and lollipops.
The Fleet Town Centre Project is run by volunteers from Churches Together in Fleet and it aims to make the high street safer for residents, revellers and businesses.
It runs on Friday nights but organisers are hoping to provide the same services on Saturday nights. They are also hoping to secure funds to use a double-decker bus as their headquarters – to provide respite from rain in winter, and a place for volunteers to put their feet up.
To pull in some much-needed funds, All Saints Church in Church Road, Fleet, held a gift aid day last Sunday, raising £1,000 for the project.
Bron Lambert, project co-ordinator of the Fleet Town Centre Project, said: “The project is about being a neutral, non-judgmental presence to calm things down on the high street.”
In addition to giving out free treats, the team are on-hand to listen to anyone who wants to chat.
Mrs Lambert said: “Everyone involved in the project, and those responsible for public order, are very enthusiastic about our presence, and there is already evidence that the project is helping to reduce anti-social behaviour in the town on Friday nights.”
Taxi drivers, bouncers, pub staff, teenagers on nights out, and soldiers from Gibraltar Barracks in Minley are frequent visitors to the project’s stands, where hot chocolate, Jammy Dodgers and Party Rings are available.
Organisers will need to recruit more volunteers from Churches Together, and raise more funds to provide the refreshments before it can expand.
Mrs Lambert said: “All Saints Church were very generous with their time and their support so we thank them for that.”
The Fleet Town Centre Project is run by volunteers from Churches Together in Fleet and it aims to make the high street safer for residents, revellers and businesses.
It runs on Friday nights but organisers are hoping to provide the same services on Saturday nights. They are also hoping to secure funds to use a double-decker bus as their headquarters – to provide respite from rain in winter, and a place for volunteers to put their feet up.
To pull in some much-needed funds, All Saints Church in Church Road, Fleet, held a gift aid day last Sunday, raising £1,000 for the project.
Bron Lambert, project co-ordinator of the Fleet Town Centre Project, said: “The project is about being a neutral, non-judgmental presence to calm things down on the high street.”
In addition to giving out free treats, the team are on-hand to listen to anyone who wants to chat.
Mrs Lambert said: “Everyone involved in the project, and those responsible for public order, are very enthusiastic about our presence, and there is already evidence that the project is helping to reduce anti-social behaviour in the town on Friday nights.”
Taxi drivers, bouncers, pub staff, teenagers on nights out, and soldiers from Gibraltar Barracks in Minley are frequent visitors to the project’s stands, where hot chocolate, Jammy Dodgers and Party Rings are available.
Organisers will need to recruit more volunteers from Churches Together, and raise more funds to provide the refreshments before it can expand.
Mrs Lambert said: “All Saints Church were very generous with their time and their support so we thank them for that.”
Browse Sections
