Blog: Shrewsbury Toy Run is Cameron’s ‘Big Society’
Friday 7th October 2011, 2:30PM BST.
Blog: There is a little chink of light in the affair of the Shrewsbury Toy Run, a wonderful example of Big Society do-gooding in action, which has had to be axed, organisers say, because police cannot afford to marshal the event.
This charity ride sees hundreds of motorcycle riders delivering Christmas presents to children at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital, as well as to those at Severndale School for children with learning difficulties and Bradbury House, a residential care home for children with learning difficulties.
Now the MCC Rainbringers, who arrange the event, are to meet police next week to see if the ride can be salvaged after all.
West Mercia Police use the slogan: “Serving, Protecting, Making the Difference.”
Facilitating the toy run comes under two of those three categories – serving, and making the difference.
David Cameron spoke this week of a “can do” spirit.
While we can appreciate the difficulties that police in Shropshire are facing, it would be a pity if they lamely allowed themselves to become a “no can do” force.
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I would be good to see our local police force volunteer for this job.
What a boost it would for the community.
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Why do the police feel the need to micro manage this event?
Especially when some similar events are self-policing?
Or do they believe bikers are dangerous and need to be watched like hawks?
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