Caring Willenhall workers share gifts
11 Dec 09 21:00 Filed in: News
Caring Willenhall workers share gifts
Adam Lumley TheYamYam 11 Dec 09
Kind-hearted workers at a Willenhall distribution centre are offering some much needed Christmas cheer to victims of domestic violence. Staff at A F Blakemore & Son Ltd, are donating gift boxes to the Walsall Domestic Violence Forum who will pass on the gifts to women and children who have suffered abuse.
The boxes contain nappies, toiletries, baby food, sweets and toys. A F Blakemore and Son Ltd is a leading wholesale grocery distributor that serves more than 700 SPAR convenience stores in England and Wales. It also operates more than 200 of the chain stores through its Tates subsidiary. The firm employs around 5,500 people and has a strong tradition of close links with the community and the support of third sector organisations. Jo Bird of the company said: “We have been able to put together over 100 Christmas gift boxes and are overwhelmed at the support our employees have shown.”
Earlier this week, Walsall South MP Bruce George called on Walsall Council to offer more support. He said:
“The Council’s record on domestic violence isn’t very good. For the last few years the resources allocated to Walsall Domestic Violence Forum have been significantly reduced, forcing cuts in services. “I just hope the Council will protect the very many vulnerable members of our town by enabling this excellent service to survive.”
In 2007, Walsall Domestic Violence Forum received £188,000 in funding. This year, £78,000 has been allocated. Co-ordinator Sheri Rogers said: "If there are any more cuts we will have to start losing services. Our Crisis Intervention Service has already been reduced from around the clock to weekdays and out of hours at the weekend.
"We really hope there are no more cuts this time around, that's all we can hope for."
The reduction in funding and the threat of further cuts has resulted in the Sneyd Hall Lane charity needing to find the shortfall elsewhere. The generosity of staff at A F Blakemore is seen as more than just material support, it shows that there are people in the community who care and want to help the increasing numbers of victims of domestic violence.
Contacts
Stepping Stones- 24 hr helpline, run by volunteers free phone number. 0800 389 5790
SAYA- Multi lingual Helpline 24 hr, 0800 389 6990
Advertiser 7 Dec Plea to spare Bloxwich women's abuse charity
Advertiser 13 Aug Cash-strapped Bloxwich charity sees rise in abuse
Express & Star 17 June Future is bright for Beacon
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