Town to support street pastor team following James Corfield tragedy
A Mid Wales town is raising money to cover the cost of street pastors at a show where a teenager died last year.
Montgomery teenager James Corfield went missing at last year's Royal Welsh Show in Builth Wells, and his body was recovered from the River Wye.
A number of organisations have been working together to provide additional safety measures for the 2018 event, and one scheme is to introduce street pastors to the town.
The pastors are volunteers, however funds need to be raised to cover their expenses, and Montgomery county councillor Stephen Hayes has volunteered the town to cover the costs, which could be between £1,000 and £1,500.
Councillor Hayes has appealed for residents to make a pledge and drop it into locations around the town.
When the exact cost is known after the show he will then contact those who have come forward to make pledges.
He said: "Street Pastors are trained and equipped to help young people whose good time has turned problematic.
"Street Pastors will provide cover in Builth Wells from Sunday to Wednesday nights in show week. They are volunteers, but we need to meet their expenses. While other safety measures will be funded by the authorities , I've volunteered Montgomery to meet the Street Pastors' costs of around £1 to £1,500 for the first year.
"I'm guessing that like me, many Montgomery folk will value the presence of the street pastors and want to support them. They are the human face of efforts to keep young people safe at the show this year."
Residents of businesses wishing to make a pledge can drop them off at boxes in the Institute, Montgomery School, Bunners or Castle Kitchen in the town, however no money is asked for at this stage.
