RETIRED community bobby Joe Riley is a welcome addition to Victim Support's fund-raising team.

Joe pounded the beat in Platt Bridge and spent a lot of his free time raising funds during his near 30 years as a policeman. Now he is a volunteer fund-raiser for the charity.

Following the success of his Wigan Kebab badges Joe is selling "Support a Victim" badges for £1 of which 60 pence goes to the charity.

On Sunday Police cadets will take part in a sponsored walk in the Lake District.

Coming events include a Police HQ and court open day, a fashion show, Irish night and a charity concert.

Joe said: "I hope everyone will get behind our efforts to raise funds for this important charity.

"Becoming the victim if any kind of crime can be a really traumatic experience.

"It is the Police officer's prime duty to get busy discovering the criminals. The job of counselling and comforting victims comes much better from sympathetic and trained civilians, in other words Victim Support.

"We are looking for more volunteers for this work. A six week, one-night-a-week course will start in October for anyone willing to counsel victims of crime and if need be sitting with witnesses during court proceedings."

Volunteers should contact Victim Support on 01942 322033.

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