A FORMER senior detective has joined a leading anti-violence charity as a trustee.

Paul Withers, who served as a detective in East Lancashire for more than 20 years, retired in July due to ill health.

The former detective superintendent has now joined Every Action Has Consequences - the charity set up in memory of tragic Blackburn one-punch victim Adam Rogers.

Mr Rogers, 24, was felled and killed by teenager William Upton as he tried to stop a street fight in the town centre ten years ago.

The appointment of Mr Withers comes as Adam's mum Pat, dad Dave and brother Tim estimate the charity has reached two million people in primary and secondary schools, young offenders institutions, and prisons using a 13-minute film and a special animation for younger children.

With the North-West charity's message of anti-violence, not drinking to excess and not carrying weapons arguably more needed now than it ever has been, Mrs Rogers has warned of the financial pressures the organisation faces if it is to keep its vital work going.

And with the competition for funding from the public sector as strong as it ever has been, the charity's newest trustee is calling on the wider public to help ensure the Every Action Has Consequences message is heard by future generations.

Mr Withers, 50, said: "Since I have retired I have found myself with time on my hands. As well as energy and hopefully a lot of skills and experience still to offer.

"I met Pat and Dave during the course of my service and I was keen to help in whatever way I could. I have had a lot of meetings with Pat and Dave and that has made me realise what an incredible job they, and their son Tim, have done over the last 10 years.

"When you think about what the charity is about and how they are trying to prevent further violence, further loss of life, steer young people away from knife crime and drinking to excess then their message is more relevant today than it ever has been.

"If you look at what they are doing as such a small charity and the number of young people they are educating year after year I just wanted to come onboard and help in whatever way I can. We know that violent crime isn't reducing, knife crime is increasingly prevalent and alcohol misuse, particularly at this time of year, is a real problem. It is clear to me the work of this charity must continue, The charity is at risk of not being around this time next year, if not earlier, if it doesn't get the funding needed to carry on doing its incredible work. I would urge any readers to please take the time to review the work the charity is doing and make a donation however big or small."

Mrs Rogers, 67, and Mr Rogers 86, said it was a real boost for the charity to have Mr Withers as a trustee and they are keen to utilise his expertise and experience.

They also want to hear from anybody with social media expertise who could volunteer their time to help spread the charity's message to an even wider audience.

Mrs Rogers said: "The work is still so needed. We do a lot in schools delivering assemblies or classroom sessions to young people. They are very powerful and very successful. We do this from the ages of 11 to 19. We also work in primary schools now.That's very much about managing anger and resolving conflict without using violence. All of this work is trying to give young people the tools they need to keep themselves safe and not harm other people."

To donate to the charity go to www.justgiving.com/eahconsequences and for more information or to see the educational film visit www.eahconsequences.com. For volunteering opportunities email pat@eahconsequences.com