Local Charities

Victim Support in Charnwood

Christmas is a time of goodwill and giving but for some it will bring heartache and despair. During the run up to Christmas large amounts of money are spent buying presents and gifts for family and friends. Imagine the shock of coming down stairs in the morning to find everything strewn about and your precious gifts missing; or to hear of friends or family members injured as a result of violent crime.

Statistics show that crime, locally, is falling but to be a victim of crime, such as burglary, can be deeply distressing and affect all members of a household, often in different ways. Although stolen goods can be replaced, for many people, the fact of someone having been in their home can be hard to deal with. Children, in particular, may be deeply affected but not know how to express their feelings.

This is where agencies such as Victim Support can help. Last year the Charnwood branch of Victim Support Leicestershire & Rutland offered help and support to over 2,000 victims of crime in the Borough.

Our team of volunteers are trained to work with victims of all types of crime, from theft up to homicide. This may include many months of support whilst perpetrators of crime are brought to trial, working with victims of domestic violence, providing crime prevention information or simply listening while victims talk through their experience. We can also help obtain compensation for victims of violent crime.

Victim Support now has a presence in every Crown and Magistrates’ Court in England and Wales where, through its Witness Service, support is offered to victims and witnesses giving evidence in criminal trials.

If you would like to become a volunteer or have been a victim of crime and would like someone to talk to, please contact us at Victim Support Charnwood, Regent Wharf, 46 Derby Road, Loughborough or telephone 01509 268545. Our offices are open between 10.00am and 1.00pm Monday to Friday. Outside of these times please leave a message and we will call you back.

Cancer Research UK

Our local fundraising group, together with the charity shop in Loughborough, aim to raise vital funds to enable our doctors and scientists to continue their work.

We would like new faces to join us, both male and female. Are you looking for something different to do in 2005 and have a little time to spare? New volunteers are needed to help in three different ways:

• Join our monthly meetings when we plan our fundraising activities

• Occasional help when we need extra hands to help with events.

• Volunteer to hold an event to raise funds for Cancer Research UK.

Events planned for early 2005:

• Annual General Meeting: Wednesday 9 February, 8pm at John Storer House. Visitors welcome to find out more about Cancer Research UK in our area.

• Buffet Dance: Saturday 12 March at Humphrey Perkins School, Barrow upon Soar. Dancing to the Mike Graham Quintet.

• Graham Cook Memorial Sponsored Walk: Sunday 17 April. 3 or 5 miles in the grounds of Calke Abbey, Ticknall.

To find out more or offer help call:

• The Fundraising Group - Dawn Hawley on 01509 213768

• The Charity Shop - Pauline Smith on 01509 219791

Or visit our website www.quorndon-mag.org.uk/cruk

We look forward to hearing from you ­ soon!