In 1971 Superintendent Gerald Richardson was shot dead while attempting to arrest robbers involved in a raid on a Blackpool jewellers shop. At that time Gerry was a highly regarded member of Blackpool North Rotary Club and considerable thought was given by his friends and fellow members to ways in which his memory could be honoured and perpetuated. He had a passion for youth work and shortly before his death he had been a prime mover in raising a considerable sum of money to acquire Snows Heights in the Lake District for use as a centre for young people of Blackpool and the Fylde.

It seemed logical, therefore, that a Trust be established to continue and expand the work to which Gerry had been so dedicated.

In the 25 years or so of its existence through hard work by the Club, generous gifts and shrewd in- vestment the Trust has become a major youth charity. In this time the Trust has generated sufficient sums to pursue its objectives and at the last Annual General Meeting it was announced that since its inception over 10,000 young people - many of them with special needs - have been helped to pursue interests and activities, both of physical and cultural character which they have found fulfilling and life and career-enhancing. In the process of supporting these young people the Trust has disbursed over £110,000.

The Trust is managed by a committee consisting of members of the Blackpool North Rotary Club -the President and Chairman of Community Services are ex-officio members - and Representatives from Blackpool and Lancashire County Youth Services. For many years past President Douglas Leatham, in his capacity as Honorary Treasurer/Secretary of the Trust, has been it's driving force. His work has been recognised not only through the award of a Paul Harris Fellowship but also by his receipt of the Rotary International 'World Wide Service Above Self Award'. In addition he has twice received the Club's own 'Charles Leadbeater Award', given each Charter Night to the member who is deemed to have done most for the Club in the previous year.

The Management Committee meet monthly and a listing of the grants approved at a recent meeting will show the spread of activities supported. An applicant with visual difficulties has been given help to purchase electronic equipment to assist him with his GCSE studies and another applicant with special needs has been supported in his attendance at an Outdoor Pursuits Centre in the Lake District. Two "Gap Year" students are being helped-one to teach English in Vietnam and another to visit Canada and Oceania. Two other young people are attending respectively a course at the Manchester Youth Theatre and Raleigh International Project.

Awards are not only made to individuals but also to Youth Organisations and in this category awards were made to 'Ocean Youth Sailing Club' and to 'Blackpool Young Peoples' Council' when planning a visit to Poland. In addition, financial support has been given to the Special Schools Musical Festival organised by the Club's Community Service Committee. Generally, requests for help with major capital projects or where aid from the Trust would be insignificant are rejected.

In addition to these awards (made monthly), each year one primary and one high school are each invited to send one of their classes to an outdoor pursuits course at Tower Woods in the Lake District; the Trust bearing the cost of these courses.

The Trust recently received a letter from the Deputy Head of the Centre, Andy Murphy, in which he refers to "the possibilities and opportunities which the Gerald Richardson Memorial Youth Trust affords to young people, year in and year out".

In so doing, the Rotary Club of Blackpool North takes pride. We feel sure that Gerry would have been proud too.

Colin Roberts

Press Officer for The Gerald Richardson Memorial Youth Trust

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