Police Officer Secures Funding For Whitchurch Alport FC

from left to right; PC Karena Evans, Andy Allmark, Inspector Rik Klair and players Lee Stephens and Ryan Edge.A Whitchurch police officer has given the town's football club a welcome boost after metal thieves broke into its changing rooms causing damage running into thousands of pounds.

Local Policing Officer, PC Karena Evans, felt Whitchurch Alport FC needed some extra support to help repair damage to its Yockings Park ground at the end of August.

She applied to the West Mercia Police Community Fund for a donation and succeeded in arranging for a £300 cheque to be handed over.

The cheque was presented by Inspector Rik Klair, the officer in charge of policing in north Shropshire to club manager Andy Allmark.

PC Evans said: "The burglary was a real set-back for the club.  The offenders ripped out all the copper piping and in the process damaged the toilets, doors and other furnishings.

"The damage was so serious that a home fixture had to be rearranged.  Whitchurch Alport is a local community football club which could ill afford the cost of repairs.

"I was delighted the trustees of West Mercia's Community Fund recognised the hardship it had suffered by agreeing a donation."

The Fund is made up of voluntary contributions from West Mercia officers and staff, donations and proceeds from the sale of seized property.

Issued: Thursday, 10 November 2011