Pal’s campaign attracts wave of local support
ONE of the family friends of Eddie O’Rourke profoundly affected by his death was 22-yearold Louis Bamber whose Life Your Life – Drop The Knife campaign sparked a wave of support from residents sharing his concern about blade-related crime in Runcorn.
The young businessman said residents were ‘fed up’ with violent crime but that it was the public who had the most ‘powerful voice’ to change things for the better.
In the short time since Eddie’s death on September 7, Louis has helped to organise the balloon release at the Town Park on September 15 and he has also started discussions with the police and Halton Council over what can be done to reduce the level of violent crime and improve access to youth facilities, with dreams of an off-road motorbike track for young riders now brewing.
On Facebook, the campaign has attracted 2,200 likes and its posters can now be seen ● far and wide, including on bus stops and the area’s businesses.
Louis said the public’s response has been ‘phenomenal’ and the campaign already has the basic structure in place to build on its early support.
He added: “We have a committee and we’re working as a team and we will do our best alongside residents to help beat knife crime.
“We’ve hit the ground running and I’ve been to every single business with a poster and every business is 110% behind us. They live here as well, they have children as well.
“There’s no more powerful voice than the voice of the people who live here.
“People are fed up, I was fed up watching our community fall to its knees. When the community does stand up and take action, that’s the best.
“It’s run by the community for the community and who could be better?” ● SEARCH for Live Your Life – Drop The Knife on Facebook or liveyourlifedroptheknife.co.uk