Police and Crime Commissioner supports One Punch Awareness Week

Durham Police and Crime Commissioner Joy Allen has pledged her support to One Punch Awareness Week which starts today (Monday 20th September).

Last week the PCC met with One Punch founder and CEO Maxine Thompson-Curl, as well as Cllr Jonathan Dulston the Deputy Leader of Darlington Borough Council to help promote the yearly campaign.

Maxine started One Punch after her son Kristian, who was just 18, was punched on a night out in Consett in 2010.He sadly passed away 10 months later. Maxine set-up One Punch North East as a campaigning group in 2014 which has now become a registered charity. They have continued to raise awareness of the devastating consequences just one punch can have, as well as provide support to families in the same situation.

Throughout the week they are organising many different activities and fundraising events alongside a variety of different organisations within local communities.

Durham PCC Joy Allen said “I fully support the One Punch campaign, helping to raise awareness of the consequences that one punch can have on somebody’s life. One of my key priorities as PCC is to help promote awareness of the dangers of excessive alcohol consumption through engagement with charities such as One Punch.”

One Punch founder Maxine Thompson-Curl, said: “We are so happy that we have the continuous support from Joy Allen and the PCC Office. We are looking forward to working alongside councillor Dulston to make positives changes around Darlington and Durham”

Cllr Jonathan Dulston, Deputy Leader of Darlington Borough Council, said: “Tragically, we have seen all too many times the devastating impact a single punch can have. I’m proud to stand alongside Maxine and Joy in promoting this campaign, to raise awareness of the consequences a single moment of violence can bring.”

You can find out more about the week and how you can get involved at www.onepunch.org.ukand by following them on Twitter @OnePunchNE or on Facebook @OnePunchUK