Monday, January 29, 2007

 

Faversham, Kent: Tracy Ashworth

When Tracy Ashworth joined Mums’ Army three months ago she was warned by a police officer: ‘Don’t go out after dark and stay away from your windows.’
But Tracy refused to be cowed. She made headlines in her local paper in Faversham, Kent, determined to make people in power take notice and allow families like hers to live in safety.
She and her two daughters have been moved to a safer home.
Tracy says: ‘This wouldn’t have happened without Mums’ Army and I want to help other people in the same situation — no one should be made to live in fear.’
Tracy Ashworth,
Faversham, Kent
Tel: 07852 364915


 

Falkirk, Scotland: Dawna Chisholm

Hard work and creativity united the community when Dawna Chisholm used her branch of Mums’ Army to create a youth art project.
Dawna, 33, says: ‘I became a member of the tenants and residents association and we ran a competition in local schools to find the best designs for themed murals. These were then painted by young people on three of the town’s underpasses.’
Falkirk Council awarded Dawna £4400 to fund the project.
She says: ‘We successfully diverted young people away from crime and antisocial behaviour by providing them with a way to express themselves creatively. Now they are proud of their achievements. The community as a whole feels positive and the council is planning to repeat this elsewhere. Young people want to see changes just as much as we do.’
Dawna Chisholm,
Falkirk
E-mail: star4u_12345@yahoo.com


Friday, January 26, 2007

 

Sunderland, Tyne & Wear: Sandra Rowell

Ordinary people like Sandra Rowell, of Sunderland, are finding ways to fight yobbish behaviour and take back their towns.
After she filmed yobs rampaging through the local park on motorbikes, Sandra Rowell forced the police to take action. She is now busy changing the face of her neighbourhood.
Sandra, 52, says: ‘When I joined Mums’ Army, our local park was overrun by motorbikes and drunken louts in stolen cars.
'After speaking out in the local newspaper and pressuring the police and council, I arranged for park gates to be fitted and made sure that they were locked every night.
‘Because I joined Mums’ Army I now live in a peaceful area. Mums’ Army gives ordinary people a voice loud enough to be heard by those who abuse the law and think they can do what they like. We’re here to stay and we will only get stronger.’
Sandra Rowell,
Sunderland, Tyne & Wear
Tel: 0191 551 6551
E-mail: sandra-rowell@hotmail.com


Thursday, January 18, 2007

 

Kidderminster, Worcestershire: Rosemary Bishop

When Rosemary Bishop challenged a group of nearly 50 youths who were ravaging her neighbourhood, they launched a personal attack on her and her family.
Rosemary, 56, contacted Mums’ Army to say: ‘I was subjected to verbal abuse, my family was threatened, my windows were smashed and parts of dead animals were left on my step. I was forced to call the police again and again. This went on for two years.
‘I wasn’t the only one being victimised, but the police couldn’t do anything without witnesses. I was the only one willing to stand up in court, and eventually five ASBOs were given.
‘I formed a neighbourhood action group and now things are improving. Even though the youths destroyed my life, I don’t regret challenging them, and I want to continue to better my community.’
Rosemary Bishop,
Kidderminster, Worcestershire
Tel: 07905 529081

Friday, January 12, 2007

 

Lincoln: Mary Martin

When she first saw him, Mary Martin hardly recognised the blood-covered figure of her 23-year-old son.
Mary, 49, called the Mums’ Army Hotline to say: ‘This is the third time he’s been attacked by thugs and now he’s terrified to go out.
‘I called the police right away and they said they’d try to send someone out soon. Days later we’re still waiting.
‘The police don’t want to know and neither does the community — two drivers and a man witnessed the attack and did nothing. I’m joining Mums’ Army in the hope that people will band together to offer each other support and force the Government to protect the victims and not the criminals.’
Mary Martin,
Lincoln
Tel: 07757 279517
E-mail: sweetheartmary196@hotmail.com

Thursday, January 04, 2007

 

Purley, Greater London: Jackie Fullbrook

After two of her children were threatened by knife-wielding yobs, Jackie Fullbrook, 37, contacted Mums’ Army.
She explains: ‘For seven years my six children were afraid to walk down the street, and even within our home we were intimidated. Yobs shouted abuse, banged on our door and posted offensive items through our letterbox.
‘The police told us they couldn’t do anything because the youths were under 16 and the council said they couldn’t rehouse us for nine years! So we were forced to move. I want to stop other families from suffering.’
Jackie Fullbrook,
Purley, Greater London
E-mail: jackiefullbrook78@msn.com

 

Harlow, Essex: Melanie Hopwood

When Melanie Hopwood answered the phone in the middle of the night, a relative said: ‘Your Tommy’s been stabbed.’
By the time she arrived at hospital, her son Tommy, 16, had been pronounced dead, with a single stab wound to the chest.
A distraught Melanie, 34, is still unsure of the full circumstances and is joining Mums’ Army to fight knife crime.
She says: ‘I have an 18-month-old baby son who won’t even remember the big brother who doted on him. I want the Government to clamp down on the possession of knives and enforce stricter punishment.’
Melanie Hopwood,
Harlow, Essex
E-mail: mel@tommyslaw.co.uk



Tommy as a young boy

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