Seized crime money supports Abergele ‘Safe Sleep' project
The Hummingbird Project, a not-for-profit organisation, was visited by Andy Dunbobbin, North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) on April 24.
On his visit, Mr Dunbobbin saw how money recovered from criminals was being used to support vulnerable people in north Wales through the Your Community, Your Choice fund.
Your Community, Your Choice is decided through a public vote and backed by the PCC, North Wales Police, and the North Wales Police and Community Trust (PACT).
Mr Dunbobbin saw how money recovered from criminals was being used to fund beds and bedding for families in need (Image: Supplied) The funding comes partly from money seized by the courts through the Proceeds of Crime Act, with the remainder provided by the Police and Crime Commissioner.
The Hummingbird Project, a not-for-profit organisation which supports people of North Wales, was set up by Pam Lake and Lizzy Day with the aim of helping the community.
Ms Lake started the project from her own home and they have now managed to grow the project to include their own premises.
They provide household goods, including bedding and beds, for families and individuals who are in need.
They source items from the community and pass them on free of charge.
Their biggest ask is for beds and, since they began, they have given over 350 beds to children and adults who were without somewhere to sleep.
An issue for them is the difficulty in responding quickly to emergency requests and to organise donation and delivery, as they are reliant on the community to donate beds.
To combat this, The Hummingbird Project came up with the new project which Your Community, Your Choice funding is supporting.
The 'Safe Sleep Project' will allow The Hummingbird Project to provide beds quickly to those most vulnerable who are often victims of violence or crime, and who have had to move on from refuges or other services and don't have the means to purchase beds for themselves.
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Ms Lake said: "We are delighted that the public supported this project and are grateful to the Commissioner, PACT and North Wales Police for their interest in what we are doing.
"The 'Sleep Safe Project' funding will make a massive difference to the speed we will be able to get beds to those in most need.
"Working with a local bed company, Perfect Dreams, we have already delivered a brand-new bed which was very gratefully received."
Andy Dunbobbin, North Wales Police & Crime Commissioner, said: "It was inspiring to visit Pam and the team at The Hummingbird Project and to learn more about their dedication to helping people in need in the local community."
To learn more about PACT, visit www.pactnorthwales.co.uk.
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