Olympic star praises Liverpool safe haven for children

May 10 2008 by Liza Williams, Liverpool Daily Post

OLYMPIC medallist Roger Black was the main attraction at a charity lunch to raise funds for the NSPCC Safe Place Appeal yesterday.

The annual event, which raises money for the charity, attracted businesses and supporters from around the region.

Broadcaster Stuart Hall compered the fundraiser at Liverpool’s Crowne Plaza hotel where guests enjoyed a meal, a talk from Roger Black and an auction

The lunch fell on the one-year anniversary of the opening of the Hargreaves Centre on Great Homer Street in Everton, which provides vital services for victims of domestic abuse and substance misuse.

The £17m safe haven was built after a two-and-a-half-year Daily Post-backed fundraising campaign – The Safe Place Appeal.

It was named after the biggest benefactor, Matalan magnate John Hargreaves.

Black said: “The work the charity does is fantastic. I am very lucky. I have three kids and they have grown up in a loving environment but it is not always the same for every child.

“If you can improve a child’s life it is a great thing and we can all relate to the charity.

“I think the facility like you have here is great. I have been shown around the centre and it is fantastic. It is a shame it is needed but clearly it is.”

The 400m Olympic medal winner showed the audience a video of the 1991 World championship relay win, achieved by him and three Great British team mates, as well as talking about his Olympic experiences.

Compere Hall has been involved in NSPCC events for four years.

He said: “I am happy to be here in Liverpool, the City of Culture, the city of everything.

“It is a privilege to be here for the NSPCC.

“Children have always faced distress but the problem has multiplied even though we have more wealth and affluence.

“More and more children need our help and that is why we are here, not just today but in the future.”

The event’s main sponsor was Anglo Irish bank.

Regional director Keith Miller said: “We realise the need to support the communities we work in and the NSPCC is such a worthy charity.

“I’ve visited the Hargreaves Centre and we have seen the work undertaken. It is much needed.”

Committee member Sheetal Aggarwal, from south Liverpool, added: “The sporting lunch is always a great event. The organisation does fantastic work and we need funds to carry this on.”

lizawilliams