Crimestoppers and Fearless event celebrates work of community groups
On Friday (6th October 2023), independent charity Crimestoppers and their youth service Fearless celebrated the vital work that community groups across Scotland undertake at a special event in Maryhill, Glasgow.
Supported by Network Rail Scotland, the charity awarded six youth-focused groups and six adult-focused groups £500 to spend on creating a special day during the summer that provided an opportunity to learn about the charity’s 100% anonymous reporting service.
Whilst Crimestoppers is not normally a grant giver, this project was an exceptional effort to show support for the very local groups who play an invaluable role in making communities stronger.
Guests at the celebration included The Minister for Victims and Community Safety Siobhian Brown MSP and representatives from community partners, safety projects and other charities.
Over 120 invited guests heard from the award winners about the fantastic work they undertake in communities and the difference the funding provided by Crimestoppers and Network Rail Scotland made to their summer:
Man On! are a mental health charity operating in Inverclyde. With support from Fearless (the youth service of Crimestoppers), they organised a football wellbeing cup for 200 young people during the summer holidays to encourage them to come together to learn more about mental health issues, community safety and Fearless.
The players had a great time – keeping fit, working together and learning how to stay safe and healthy.
Milan Senior Welfare in Edinburgh supports older South Asian communities and unpaid carers. They used the funding to host a series of community events. Over 90 people attended, many experiencing language barriers, so they heard about how Crimestoppers’ language line can offer 147 different languages to those choosing to report crime anonymously.
Lyndsay McDade, National Youth Projects Coordinator at the charity Crimestoppers, said: “Both I and the Crimestoppers Scotland National Manager have worked in the charity sector for the duration of our professional careers. We have seen firsthand the difference youth workers, community workers and local charities make to so many lives – every single day.
“Shining a light on the tremendous work carried out by local charities and supporting them to empower their group members with key information about crime and awareness of our charity, has been truly inspiring. We’re so glad that, together with Network Rail Scotland, we could bring both knowledge and joy this summer.
“Today’s celebration was an important reminder that everyone has a right to feel safe wherever they live and that through Crimestoppers and our youth service Fearless, we help communities to achieve that.”
Minister for Victims and Community Safety, Siobhian Brown said: “Crimestoppers is unique in its role, giving people the opportunity to make their communities safer by anonymously reporting information about crime.
“I was pleased to be able to join the event today and learn more about the positive impact of Crimestoppers and their dedicated youth service Fearless.
“I want to say a personal thank you to community groups for the difference they continue to make in local communities and the contribution they make.”
Innis Keith, Health, Safety & Environment Director, Network Rail Scotland, said: “Scotland’s Railway has partnered with Crimestoppers and Fearless for many years now and the partnership has, and continues to raise awareness around the dangers of railway crime and the devastating impact it has on our communities.
“It’s so important that people know how to anonymously report unsafe or criminal behaviours and activities.
“We’re really proud to be supporting this special project to help keep passengers and communities across Scotland safe while stamping out crime on the railway.”
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