Street pastors to stock up on supplies

STREET PASTORS who work in Hinckley town centre have been given a £200 boost to their voluntary work by Asda.

The Street Pastors scheme was given a cheque from the Barwell Lane store in the town after being voted for by shoppers in a Your Community Counts scheme.

Volunteers from town churches work through the night on Fridays and Saturdays, into the early hours, supporting people on nights out.

The donation will be used to stock up with flip-flops, space blankets, bottles of water and lollipops, the most common items given out by the team to people in need of comfortable footwear, warm clothes, rehydration or a sugar boost after a night on the town.

Although they work with police and borough council officers when needed, often the pastors’ time is spent simply talking to people and making sure they get home safely.

The uniformed volunteers are also trained in first aid.

Community causes like the Street Pastors benefit through the year from Asda’s Your Community Counts scheme (previously called Chosen By You).

Every three months, customers can vote for three causes to receive funding.

The cause receiving the most votes gets £500 and the two runners up £200 each.

Nominations can be made on forms on the board in-store and online or by post or email to the store’s community champion Marie Eaves.