'Jumbo' cheque boost for Street Pastors and their 'incredible' work

Over 40 people attended the meeting which commenced with the generous donation, raised from a charity golf day organised by Bettesworths, Chartered Surveyors & Property Agents of Torquay.
Directors Matt and Paul Bettesworth handed the 'jumbo cheque' to Dixie Kendall Dunn, a Trustee of the Pastors.
Matt said that Bettesworths, were pleased to support such a worthwhile cause as the Street Pastors who every week send teams out on to the Streets of Torquay and Newton Abbot to patrol the Strand and harbourside and town centres at night on foot in their distinctive Street Pastor uniforms helping and caring for people in practical ways.
Street Pastors listen to those who want or need to talk, often protecting the vulnerable from injury, robbery or assault saving police, NHS and the courts valuable time and costs.
Receiving the cheque, Trustee Dixie thanked Matt and Paul for their generosity and indicated that the much needed funds would help to meet the rising costs of running the ongoing operation. Being a self funding charitable body, there is an urgent need for finance to fund their work.
Friends of Torbay Street Pastors donate regularly, some with the benefit of Gift Aid, but there is a need for other generous benefactors.
Police Inspector Ian Stevens followed giving an interesting overview of local policing in Newton Abbot and the Bay. He emphasised the value of Street Pastors especially when working in tandem with the police, the NHS, the local authority and the night time door staff. Street Pastors are respected by the police who are grateful for their work often allowing them to attend to more urgent matters. He said: "What the Street Pastors do on a regular basis is nothing short of incredible. We are grateful to have the level of support and as a result we are seeing crime levels drop.”
Roy Beaumont, the co-ordinator of Plymouth Street Pastors, gave an inspiring talk about the experiences of Street Pastors.
You can consider becoming a SP or a Prayer Pastor or maybe someone in your family or amongst your friends and contacts may be interested. Street Pastors are very happy to take you or them out as an Observer so that you can see what goes on. For further information please contact : Barney Bettesworth barney@bettesworths.co.uk Tel: 01803 606807