PSNI help Newcastle group receive new bus

PSNI help Newcastle group receive new bus

7 March 2012

A NEWCASTLE-based Christian group is taking to the roads.

The Kairos Centre has just taken delivery of a new minibus to help with its work with young and old members of the local community.

The minibus was purchased thanks to funding received from the PSNI whose Newcastle inspector is full of praise of the work done by the Kairos volunteers.

“The voluntary work that they do with the community is immensely valuable, and as a partner agency the help that they give police at all hours of the day is simply fantastic,” said Sergeant James McIlveen.

The KAIROS Centre is a voluntary church based organisation of 30 members who provide youth development, sporting recreation and community development.

It also works in assisting those suffering from drug and alcohol problems and members of the community who require support for their mental health.

This new bus will help transport members of the community to and from the centre along with aiding the youth football team on friday nights.

Richard Morrison, director of the Kairos group, has agreed that with the new bus they hope to increase the number of people attending the centre.

The KAIROS group do a substantial amount of work in the Newcastle community, including the Nightlight scheme — a ministry of the Presbyterian Church where volunteers give out tea and coffee to those who came out of the bars and night clubs late at night.

“This is just a simple task but in doing it, this allows

for individuals coming from the bars and night-clubs to come and take refuge and unwind for a while and keeping them out of harms way from any misdemeanours about the town, something that the police I’m sure are very happy about,” said Mr. Morrison.

“By the Police Service giving us this bus, they have helped us overcome a major barrier — transport. This bus will be beneficial for the whole community,” he said.