Hi,

I am John Kilroy, a Police Constable with Greater Manchester Police, I am currently serving within the Officer Safety Training department, delivering self defence and other associated training in support of frontline officers and staff whose efforts on the streets help to ensure the safety of the public at large.

For some, more vulnerable people, the streets are an altogether more forbidding, and hostile place, people such as street kids in Ethiopia, kids who often come from destitute, broken families, exploited by gangmasters and warlords, some never having the benefit of an education, and being forced to resort to scavenging, thieving and begging to support siblings and parents if indeed they have a family, or even to simply survive on a daily basis, kids who don't even get an opportunity to do what kids do .... Play !

Read more at www.retrak.org

I am priveleged, and proud to be one of twelve GMP officers and staff who travelled to Addis Ababa in Ethiopia last November, in association with the charity RETRAK, whilst there, I was involved with renovation, redecoration, chicken coop building and daily interaction with street kids, I also took part in the 'Great Ethiopia Run', a 10K event, running alongside street kids and staff from the drop in centre which provides much needed shelter, counselling, basic education, medical help, feeding programmes, and other vital services, but above all, the opportunity to allow children to play in safe, secure and supportive environment.

Simultaneously, another twelve officers and staff travelled to Kampala, Uganda, on a similar mission for RETRAK.

As a charity, RETRAK rely on donations to fund their programmes. Small amounts can make a big difference! Even a small amount can help transform the life of a street child.

£3 - a blanket for a child who has been sleeping on the street
£5 - access urgently-needed medical treatment
£46 - a child’s school uniform and books – allowing them to complete their education.

If you donate, you will make my day, ........ but you will make a street childs' life.

I mentioned earlier that I am proud to be involved, ..... what will you do today to make YOU feel proud? ........... Please donate today!

Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page, add it to your favourites and pop back to see my progress, and any updates, photos and videos.

John Kilroy

*** Update ***

30/04/11 ........... As you can see from my piccys, I have now roped my hens into the fundraising, four of them can fill two boxes in three days, and at a £1 per box, I expect they will raise around £100 or so by November.

Also, a tiny whinge, I have noted quite a lot of facebook users have 'liked' my page, but not so many donating !!! ..... come on everyone, let's blow my target out of the water !!

John.

***UPDATE*** May Bank Holiday at the All-In-One garden centre, Middleton. Managed to raise £80 from staff and customers, face painting courtesy of colleague/sister-in-law Tracey went down quite well, as did my balloon modelling! ...Quite a dab hand at now at giraffes, duck hats, dogs and pirate swords!! ......Pictured with me is my son Fynn, the first face to be painted on the day. ( pictured )

JOHN

** Update ** 12th june 2011

Custom made RETRAK wristbands and bookmarks selling well, thanks to individual purchasers, and particular thanks to parishioners at ST John Thornham , Slattocks, who today depleted my stock by around £40. ( picture )

JOHN

**UPDATE** 9th July 2011

Helped Jez Francis out with his school fun day at Park Road Primary, selling ice creams and wristbands, made around £80 between us. ( pictured )

JOHN

**UPDATE** 23rd July 2011

Dressed up as Constable Cub for a bucket collection at Manchester airport with around 12 other colleagues, raised around £650 which is all going on to Terry Bebbingtons total. ( pictured with a load of Irish girls on a hen party )

JOHN

** UPDATE ** 12th September 2011

£27 in loose change banked from the drop-tin at Claytonbrook canteen, thanks to all who donated !! ...also, my hens have reached £ 66 from the sale of their eggs, which is two thirds to their target.

JOHN

**UPDATE** 8th October 2011

£275 raised from the sale of wristbands, thanks to all those who purchased them on Taser and Officer Safety Training days.

JOHN

**UPDATE ** 11th September 2011

At last, I have punched through my £2000 target with a cheque to the amount of £250 courtesy of Special Constable Gary Daley, and those lovely people at his day job, Tigerprint, a division of Hallmark cards.

:-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-)

*** May 2012 *** Page edited and updated to reflect my fundraising this year in the Bupa 'Great Manchester Run' 10k event.

Last years final total was £ 2340.

John

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

So please dig deep and donate now.