Hollywood hard man backs town’s charity

12:30pm Sunday 16th March 2008

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HOLLYWOOD hard man Ray Winstone has pledged his support to The Relationships Centre by becoming a patron of its pioneering programme Talk... Don't Walk.

"The dedication and drive shown by the team at TalkDon't Walk is fantastic," said Ray, star of Sexy Beast and Beowulf, pictured above.

“The work they undertake is extremely important and directly helps to reduce the number of young people running away. I’m proud to be the patron”

Ray Winstone

"The work they undertake is extremely important and directly helps to reduce the number of young people running away. I'm proud to be the patron," he said.

Talk... Don't Walk works with teenage runaways to address the reasons behind their leaving home and tries to get them back with their families.

"With Ray Winstone becoming patron it will allow us to reach more children and promote the work we do across the whole of the UK to both organisations and the families of runaways," said Talk... Don't Walk spokesman Marissa Hankinson.

And that is not the only brush with the rich and famous that The Relationships Centre has had recently.

Actors from teen soap Hollyoaks paid a visit to the centre to learn about domestic violence so that an upcoming storyline can be as realistic as possible.

Kieron Richardson and Ashley Slanina-Davies, who play couple Ste Hay and Amy Barnes, will be involved in a domestic violence storyline.

They visited the Warrington domestic abuse support service to hear first hand the impact of domestic abuse on individuals, their families and the wider community.

"It is a great opportunity for the younger generation to learn more about the effects of domestic abuse, that it is unacceptable and how it is more about power and control over another person and not just about violence," said Ashley.

If you would like to find out more or use The Relationships Centre's services, call 246910 or go to healthyrelationships.org.uk