One of West Indies’ greatest cricketers took time out to meet youngsters in London involved in the Met Police-backed City Safe project. Courtney Walsh the international cricketer who represented the West Indies from 1984 to 2001, has been in London for the West Indies Veterans versus the England Veterans cricket match.
He took up the invitation of a trip to Lewisham by Detective Constable Greg Gibson (who is a relative) so he could share his knowledge of cricket with young people. Pupils from Prendergast Ladywell Fields College involved in City Safe along with their teacher were given the opportunity to speak to Courtney and see him show off his bowling skills.
Over the last two years pupils from Prendergast Ladywell Fields College, working with their local primary schools have introduced the City Safe Haven Campaign to the businesses in their local area.
The success of CitySafe in Lewisham has now seen up to 300 businesses in 18 London boroughs sign up to it. Shops who sign up to the London Citizens scheme provide refuge to youngsters and report every incident to police. Courtney said he backed the City Safe Haven scheme and the work Lewisham police and their partners are doing with young people in the borough.
Through his own charitable foundation, Courtney works with young people to provide them with opportunities and for them to make meaningful changes in their lives through cricket in Jamaica. Courtney equally met with youngsters and staff from the Youth Offending Team at Mercia Grove and was given a guided tour of Lewisham Police Station.
