City council pledges to give £125,300 to Rhys’s memorial fund

Jan 21 2008 by Caroline Innes, Liverpool Daily Post

LIVERPOOL City Council has agreed to donate money to the £1m campaign to build a community centre in memory of murdered schoolboy Rhys Jones.

The council’s executive board has approved plans to contribute £125,300, and match fund the Persimmon Homes dowry of £126,000 available for the centre in Croxteth Park.

The Rhys Jones memorial fund was set up by the local community in memory of the 11-year-old who was shot dead in Croxteth Park on August 22 last year.

Fund trustees said last night’s announcement was a major step forward in realising the goal of providing a safe place for children in the area.

Council leader Warren Bradley said: “This was a pledge that was made by the council after the death of Rhys Jones. I now hope this gesture will encourage more people to come forward and donate so we can build a community facility for the people of Croxteth Park.”

Dave Saville, chairman of Croxteth Park Residents’ Association said it was fantastic news the money would now be available to the fund.