A housing developer has donated money to a Congleton good cause about to celebrate their ninth birthday.

Congleton Street Pastors are a group of volunteers who help vulnerable people during weekends, and have received funding from Redrow for further training.

You may recognise them from patrolling the town centre on Friday and Saturday evenings from 9pm-1am, making sure people are safe during our town's nighttime economy.

Started in 2014, Congleton Street Pastors are part of a national Street Pastor movement which first began in 2003.

Rev. Andrew Lindley, Pauline and Richard Drew and Redrow's Gabriella Agnello outside Congleton Town Hall on High Street. (Image - Redrow)

They help anyone who may be in trouble or need first aid and even walk vulnerable people home.

Welsh housebuilder Redrow has donated £350 to the group from its Congleton community fund, which they will use to train more volunteers and purchase supplies that can be used during weekend patrols.

It follows similar donations by the Flintshire-based housing developer to Congleton's Christmas lights celebrations, with many causes like Congleton Street Pastors now receiving their share of the previously announced £10,000 fund.

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Congleton street Pastors Chairman, Rev. Andrew Lindley, said: "Our street pastors provide help in a variety of ways. We provide flip flops for young women in pain from uncomfortable shoes, hand out bottles of water to assist those who may have had too much to drink, administer first aid and we ensure people get home safely by walking them home."

The group currently has 12 street pastors with another currently in training and are hoping more volunteers will join the cause this year.

During their training, the pastors learn about roles and responsibilities, administering emergency first aid, awareness of drug, alcohol and solvent abuse and mental health. They are also taught about listening skills, safeguarding and youth culture. All Street Pastors also require DBS checks.  

"We are regularly thanked for helping vulnerable people and making the community feel safer. Our pastors stay with anyone in need until friends or family arrive, diffusing situations which could be dangerous," added Rev. Andrew. 

Redrow's community fund is linked to the home builder's Round Hill Gardens development, off Congleton's Manchester Road.

Redrow's Roundhill Gardens will bring a mix of three, four and five bedroom properties split into two phases – Blossoms and Woodlands.

Amanda Hollins, area sales manager at Redrow NW, said: "The Street Pastors do such great work for the community and it's something that is quite rare to see too. It's just another example of why Congleton is a great community to be part of and we're really pleased we could contribute towards training of more volunteers." 

Areas of the site are also earmarked for a new Congleton primary school, 12.5 acres of open space and local shops and will be subject to future Cheshire East Council planning applications.  

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Potential homeowners can explore a new customer experience suite that is digitally led, with interactive screens, showing site plans and local information including nearby schools and amenities. 

For further information call 01260 460058 or visit the sales office that's open seven days a week from 10am-5:30pm.

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