£126k boost for Rhys Jones community centre

Oct 3 2007 by Caroline Innes, Liverpool Daily Post

LIVERPOOL City Council is to boost a campaign to raise £1m to build a community centre in memory of murdered 11-year-old Rhys Jones, with a donation of £126,000.

The gesture was made to help gain support for the Rhys Jones Memorial Fund, set up by the local community in memory of the 11-year-old who was shot dead in Croxteth Park on August 22.

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.

Already £126,000 had been set aside from a dowry of almost £400,000 provided by Persimmon Homes to benefit the estate where the company has built residential property.

The city funding was agreed after Croxteth councillors Nadia Stewart and Phil Moffatt asked the town hall to donate an equivalent amount.

The two ward councillors approached council leader Warren Bradley in a joint attempt to gain support from the council to financially assist and provide a fitting tribute to Rhys.

Cllr Stewart said their efforts had now been rewarded and approval had been given to find match funding through the council’s Capital Programme.

She said: “This is what local politics is all about, working together for the good and welfare of our community.

“I’m delighted that the council have accepted our proposals and come up with the goods on this occasion.”

Fellow ward councillor Phil Moffatt said: “This match funding, along with the dowry money, will provide a quarter of a million pounds; a commendable start to the memorial fund for the Rhys Jones Project.

Liverpool leader Warren Bradley said: “I now hope that this gesture will encourage more people to come forward and donate so we can build a community facility that the people of Croxteth Park want to keep their children safe.”

Dave Saville, chair of Croxteth Park Residents’ Association said: “It is fantastic that we can now get this money into the fund.”

carolineinnes@dailypost.co.uk