Thames Valley Crimestoppers is preparing to take the charity’s message to even greater heights this January with a fundraising trek to the top of Kilimanjaro in Tanzania [15 January 2013].

Julia Hughes, Projects Coordinator for the independent charity, volunteered at the Olympics last summer and is now embarking on a six day trek to raise awareness and much-needed funds to support the campaign work that Crimestoppers undertakes in Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Berkshire and Milton Keynes.

Commenting on the trek, Julia said: “My boots are broken in, plasters are packed and the reality of what I have si gned up for has finally dawned on me.  I really cannot wait to take my first step – and the last – on that mountain.  This will be a personal goal that takes me out of my normal comfort zone, on my sofa, but it is also a great opportunity to help spread our message further.  If just one person reads this and is encouraged to call Crimestoppers or support our work then it will be worth it.”

This year Crimestoppers celebrates its 25th Anniversary and the Thames Valley Committee is looking at innovative ways to raise the charity’s profile, fight crime and make a difference in the community.

“Volunteers are pivotal to the continued success of Crimestoppers, raising awareness of our unique services through local campaign initiatives, presentations and youth work,” remarked Phil Gomm, Chair of Thames Valley Crimestoppers.

“In our anniversary year we aim to raise much-needed funds to promote our vital anonymous services even further.”

Mr Gomm added, “With 22 arrests being made every day from information given to Crimestoppers the charity plays a significant part in getting criminals off our streets.  Many active and passionate volunteers and staff, like Julia, give up their own time to support our work and we hope that people will spur Julia on by donating online at http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/JuliaHughesCrimestoppers."

To give information about crime anonymously call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or go to www.crimestoppers-uk.org.  Contacting the charity is completely anonymous, calls are not recorded, IP addresses are untraceable and no one will ever know you called.

ENDS

For further information please contact:
Julia Hughes, Projects Coordinator for Thames Valley Crimestoppers, on 01923 225229 or julia.hughes@crimestoppers-uk.org
Philip Gomm, Chair of Thames Valley Crimestoppers, on 01296 670533 or philgommtvcrimestoppers@yahoo.co.uk

Notes to Editors: Crimestoppers

• Crimestoppers is an independent charity which helps the police to solve crimes, making communities safer. It does this by operating the 24/7 telephone number 0800 555 111 which people can ring to pass on information about crimes anonymously. They can also use our ‘giving information' form via our website www.crimestoppers-uk.org which can also be accessed by internet-enabled mobile phones.
• Around 22 people are arrested and charged every day as a result of information given to Crimestoppers.
• Since Crimestoppers began in 1988, it has received over 1.3 million actionable calls, resulting in almost 119,000 arrests and charges. Over £124 million worth of stolen property has been recovered and over £273 million worth of drugs has been seized.
• In 2005, Crimestoppers launched the UK's Most Wanted on its website which allows the public to view images of criminals and pass on vital information about their whereabouts. It has been highly successful with over 1,700 arrests to date.
• Crimestoppers UK was founded by Lord Ashcroft, KCMG, Chairman of Trustees. In 1988, he launched Crimestoppers in the Metropolitan Police area. Crimestoppers' ‘call to action' is built on a three-way partnership between the business community, the police and the media.