Help keep drinkers safe in Hull

Source

VOLUNTEERS are needed to help people who may be too drunk and have become vulnerable in the centre of Hull.

Hull Street Angels Trinity has launched a recruitment drive to find people willing to patrol the Old and New Town areas of Hull.

Operating from Holy Trinity Church, the volunteers walk the streets in twos and threes on Friday and Saturday nights and are on hand to offer practical help and support.

They are armed with two-way radios, first-aid kits, bottles of water and flip-flops for women feeling a bit footsore in high heels.

The service is funded by the NHS, Humberside Police and Hull City Council.

Among the volunteers patrolling the streets on Friday night was 25-year-old Luke Cardwell.

The team leader said: "I know from previous experience how many people find themselves as vulnerable.

"They might not see themselves as vulnerable if intoxicated.

"I know plenty of people who have got into situations. Sometimes, it can be as simple as calling a taxi or calming an individual down, or maybe even simple first aid."

There are currently eight active volunteers.

Mr Cardwell said: "We help girls in high heels, struggling to walk – we give them flip-flops.

"We also help carry out first aid and support the homeless – giving them food parcels, a drink, a blanket or just talking to them.

"An extreme case of helping someone was when a guy fell into the river near Hull College. A taxi driver flagged down a volunteer who radioed it over to the police.

"The rescue wouldn't have happened as quickly had it not been for the Street Angels."

For more information, visit www.hullstreetangelstrinity.org.uk or call Karen Thompson on 07580 032779.