Soldiers from the 36 Engineer Regiment are in Liverpool this week helping build a new fence around the Rhys Jones Centre.
And on Sunday 16 March Rhys’ parents, Melanie and Steve will meet with the regiment to personally thank them for their time and efforts.
Fencing going all around the building was on the original plans but due to a lack of funding it was never completed. Now thanks to the Army stepping in providing construction equipment and personnel the fence will be completed.
Local Councillor Peter Mitchell said: “I am delighted that the 36 Engineer Regiment has volunteered to give up their spare time and help out such a worthy project.
“This is a great way for the men and women involved to develop their skills while benefitting the local community.
“This centre means a great deal to the people of Croxteth, in particular to Melanie and Steve and it’s fantastic that they have agreed to come along and see the efforts of the regiment.”
Trustee Ken Stewart who has been overseeing some of the work said: “I really can’t thank the army and in particular these 12 men enough.
“Melanie and Stephen, myself and the trustees and everyone who enjoys the centre is grateful to them for all their help with this, without them we never would have been able to finish this job.”
The Regiment helped out as part of a scheme, run by the army, called ‘Military Aid to the Community’. This sees engineers work with charities or community groups which cannot afford to have the work done commercially. The engineers use the work as part of their training, helping them to pick up valuable skills.
The Army’s project officer at the Centre Lieutenant Dan Bruton said: “We’re very proud to be a small part of the Rhys Jones Project. We do this kind of work on operations, but it’s particularly rewarding to be able to contribute our skills and knowledge to a community here at home. The people of Croxteth have been very welcoming to us – we’ve even managed to have a few games of football with the local children, and they won!”
