‘Family fun day’ raises funds... for paedophiles
We didn’t know say shocked parents
PARENTS attending a family fun day were horrified when they discovered it was raising money to help rehabilitate paedophiles.
The event was organised by the Safer Living Foundation, which aims to prevent child abuse and treat adults who are attracted to children.
Posters for the fun day featured bouncy castles, face painting and an It’s A Knockout-style assault course.
Hundreds of adults and children went to the event at an amateur football club’s ground in Keyworth, Notts last Saturday. But many said it was not made clear enough where the proceeds were going.
Some claimed they would never have gone if they had known the cash raised would be spent on trying to rehabilitate paedophiles.
Mum Grace Le Sueur commented on Facebook: “I’m disgusted that they didn’t make people aware of what the charity actually supported.
“It’s plain wrong. Family fun days shouldn’t be about supporting such charities. I wish we had never gone. If I’d have known this I wouldn’t have.”
Amy Curson added: “I can’t believe that family fun days are allowed to support such charities.
“Sex offenders of any sort shouldn’t be allowed to walk this planet let alone have families support them. Complete joke. They do work on prevention but also try and rehabilitate people who have already offended.” Others were supportive of the event. Paul Heard wrote: “This charity isn’t set up to benefit paedophiles, more to minimalise any further reoffending and keep communities safer.
“Surely we need charities like this to help try and protect innocent people from monsters?”
The Safer Living Foundation is a joint venture between Nottingham Trent University, HMP Whatton, the National Probation Service and police. Its co-founder, Prof Belinda Winder, defended the fun day.
She said: “It was made clear that the money raised was going to the Safer Living Foundation. But we’re sorry that some people weren’t aware of the charity’s aims.
“We work to protect children, adults and communities because we know that sexual abuse destroys lives and devastates families.”