Cheltenham Street pastors save lives
Two men were saved from freezing to death by volunteers described by critics as religious “do-gooders”.
The revellers, who fell unconscious in an alleyway off The Strand in Cheltenham after drinking too much, were discovered on Sunday by street pastors in temperatures of -6 C.
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The Christian volunteers found the freezing pair after they had passed out after consuming too much alcohol and called the authorities.
Police say the men, who both survived, would almost certainly have died if they had not been discovered by the helpers.
Inspector Jon Roberts said: “In temperatures as low as that there is no way these two men would have survived the night. They were very fortunate the street pastors discovered them.
“The incident highlights what an important impact the pastors are having on people’s welfare on a night out.
“They are extra eyes and ears for the police, and undoubtedly make the town centre a safer place.”
Pastor Barbara, who did not want to give her surname, said she and another colleague, Joel, found the men at around 2am.
She said: “We saw two men lying in the cold on the ground. One was unconscious but we managed to rouse the other one.
“They were both in a bad way and we didn’t know how long they had been lying there for.”
Barbara and Joel stayed with the pair until an ambulance took the unconscious man to hospital and a family member arrived to take the other man home.
Barbara, who said the worst-affected man was discharged from hospital later that night, said: “I’m absolutely elated that they’re okay. That’s my only concern.”
Joel added: “Barbara and I used our common sense and our training, assisting the semi-conscious person and involving the emergency services for the person who was not responding.”
The arrival of the street pastors in Cheltenham in December received a mixed response from the public, with some people deriding them as “do-gooders” and “religious fanatics”.
But clad in their high-visibility jackets, they have proved popular, offering a range of services – from helping people find taxis home to handing out bottles of water to those who have over-indulged on booze.
In other parts of the country, street pastor schemes have claimed to reduce crime by up to 84 per cent, and they has received the backing of police, civic leaders and churches across Cheltenham.
11 Comments
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by Jean, East sussex
Monday, February 08 2010, 9:48AM
“Isn't it interesting that the sceptics or critics are never prepared to print their full name and want to remain anonymous?! I say well done to the Street Pastors. Keep up the good work.”
by Stuart, Cheltenham
Sunday, February 07 2010, 9:42PM
“Ian, well said!
Couldn't have put it better myself.”
by Ian, Cheltenham
Sunday, February 07 2010, 8:14AM
“The thing that irks me is that if people get paid to do a difficult job they are somehow heroes, but if they do a difficult job for free they are 'do-gooders'. What is wrong with doing good? Street Pastors do not preach - the whole point is they want to show that God cares without any conditions. Of course they will talk about God if people want to, but only if they are asked. What a sad reflection on society that if people try to be genuinely helpful, everyone is suspicious about their motives.”
by Stuart, Cheltenham
Friday, February 05 2010, 7:31PM
“Well, I do think the article is good evidence of the kind of support that a voluntary service such as this provides. My experience is that they are not "religious fanatics" and it just happens that their caring spirit runs along side their faith. Must admit, if I had to give up my Saturday nights to help some of the people I have seen out over the past years... I would need some kind of faith too!
I am sure in this case it may have turned out worse, but, fortunately for these two guys, help was at hand and may not have been. Would they have frozen to death? Well, thankfully we will never know.
Personally, I thank everyone involved with this and hope more volunteers come forward... understand they started in Gloucester this evening. I wish them all the best.
(P.S. Mark Barber - love the comment, made me smile!)”
by Mark Barber, the prince pub cheltenham
Friday, February 05 2010, 6:18PM
“them pastors do a good job last friday i was legless i ask one hunkie guy if he could help me in me car and start it up for and point me home thank you .you where really lovely trev help me out of car even cleaned the vomited of dashboard cause by bad frosty jacks and chips”
by by stander, cheltenham
Friday, February 05 2010, 11:55AM
“Shame the other team members were not mentioned as i saw more than 2 pastors with these guys think 4 all together but hay good on them saving these guys”
by Annabelle, Chelt
Friday, February 05 2010, 11:51AM
“Why is it that those quoted are always those who will always the people who see another vonulary service that aims to improve a situation as beging (do -gooders of for "finatics" just because that service is has a religious standpoint. It is not about forcing religion on the people they meet. Theisis people's fear of what tuye don't understand at work. Why don't those peopel who make the judgements try doing some kind of service such as this rather thant criticizing it then they might understand what it's aim actually is. I have a neighbour who is involved and three other volunteers including Joel are members of my church.
Why can't we present supportive views of this story from the wider public equally with the critical ones. Then we get a more bablance viewpoint.
Could do a lot better on this one TIG research on such an important social isssue on
I would join in this service if I could but certain factors mean that is not feasible for me to do so.”
by wtf, Glos
Friday, February 05 2010, 11:46AM
“At the end of the day it doesnt even need to be below freezing to die from hyperthermia, if you are outside for long enough without warm enough clothing and are completely still then you will not last long...”
by Viv, tewkesbury
Friday, February 05 2010, 10:43AM
“who cares about any spin on this story - at the end of the day the two pastors looked after two guys who were extremely vulnerable at that time.. Well done guys KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK xx”
by Sceptic, Cheltenham
Friday, February 05 2010, 10:10AM
“I agree with the sentiments expressed in the previous comment.
All credit to the street pastors, but the thermometer in our front garden was minus 3 degrees last Sunday morning, and we are on the outskirts of the town. The temperature is likely to be less cold in the town centre, especially in an alleyway.
I am increasingly concerned at the way news and information is now dramatised and spun, presumably to try to influence how people are supposed to think.
We must not forget that these people choose to go out drinking in excess like this.”