Violence in the UK has reached epic proportions. Well over 100 people have been killed in violent attacks in London alone since the start of the year.
But you never feel the true impact of inner city violence until you are touched by it. My good friend and true gentleman NATHAN WESTHEAD lost his life in a senseless altercation this past weekend (Sun 6 July). At 28 years old, he leaves his son Dylan, barely one year old, and wife Angela of only 2 years behind. http://leics.police.uk/news/2157_family_of_mr_nathan_westhead_speak/
I am to be married on the 6 Sept of this year, and Nathan, a qualified chef, being his usual generous self, immediately offered to play a role in preparing the food. It didn’t matter that I was getting married in Paris “I’ll fly out” he said, “and then I can take Dylan to Disney Land too”.
My wife to be, Lisa , and I certainly appreciated his warmth and generosity to us – so we want to give something back to him and his family. For our honeymoon, instead of going to the usual cliché places – we have decided to climb Mont Blanc.
All funds raised will be split equally between Nathan’s family and a charity set up to fight the causes of violent crime. The name of the charity is Skilltrain (http://www.skilltrain.co.uk/index.htm ), for which I have been a member of the board for quite a few years now.
Skilltrain have been around for over 25 years. We focus on identifying potentially violent teens before they become too troublesome and seek to help them overcome the issues they may have. We guide them on to the right path for a successful life before they go down that one-way street to destruction.
This year we have received support from Newcourt, Tudor and Waterside Trusts as well as the Tom Ap Rhys Pryce Memorial Trust – which is a harrowing story of a city lawyer attacked on his way home http://www.linklaters.com/tarp/index.html.
However we urgently need additional funds as the number of young people seeking our help is growing fast.
All donations will be split 50/50 between Nathans family to spend as they wish and Skilltrain to help further our cause.
Your generosity is welcomed with open arms. Please click on the link below and follow the instructions.
