County Club Names Street Angels As Its 2016 Charity

Published on: 29 Oct, 2015
Updated on: 29 Oct, 2015

Worse for wear? A young man – who had celebrated a night off too hard – being given help and support from two of Guildford’s Street Angels.

Guildford’s Street Angels have been nominated by the County Club as its chosen charity for 2016.

The club, situated at the top of the High Street, nominates a different charity each year as part of its commitment to support the local community.

The Street Angels team has become a regular part of Guildford’s weekend night scene providing a much needed and appreciated service to help vulnerable people late at night throughout the town.

Whether intoxicated or unable to find their way home, Street Angels offers its services to help all those in need. And there intervention is believed to help in more ways than one. A 29% reduction in crime and anti-social behaviour has been recorded whilst Street Angels were operating.

Strett Angel activity has a beneficial effecty on crime levels.

Street Angels liaising with police officers. Street Angel activity is believed to have a beneficial effect on crime levels.

Kevin Lorimer, general manager of the County Club, said: “Guildford Street Angels provide a valuable service to the town looking after the vulnerable. Guildford was awarded Purple Flag Status last year and Guildford Street Angels contribution was an important part of us winning this award.

“In June this year, our charming club member Stavros Kapsalis passed away at 40 years of age. It had been his intention to join the Guildford Street Angels, hence our keenness to support Rob, his team and his work.”

Street Angels volunteer Rod Boreham said: ‘’It’s a real privilege to have been nominated and chosen as the County Club charity of the year. We are incredibly grateful for all the support we have been given, it makes us feel very special and it’s not taken for granted.’’

The County Club states on its website that it, “is active in community life and reaches out to local organisations to help improve the lives of people… in Surrey.”

During 2015 the club held multiple events to raise money for its nominated charity the Army Benevolent Fund – the soldiers charity suitably tying in with Guildford playing host to Armed Forces Day National Event in June 2015.

In 2014 more than £20,000 was raised for Headway Surrey, a charity that supports people with brain injuries across the county.

The County Club has a tradition of participating in civic support. Recently discovered club minutes reveal that in times of hardship it played its part. During the Second World War the club paid for an air raid warden-night spotter to keep a look out for enemy planes en route to strategic bombing locations.