A LOCAL charity which supports children whose parents have drug and alcohol problems held a special fun day in memory of former Children’s Services
boss Andy Samson. About 37 young people helped by the charity, which is jointly run by the council’s Children’s Services and the NSPCC – and cannot be named to protect the children it helps – attended the event at Western Young People’s Centre, Grimsby. During a presentation ceremony, one of the youngsters was presented with the inaugural Andy Samson Award by Mr Samson’s son Tom, in recognition of his commitment to the programme. Linda Crosskill, who founded the charity six years ago, said: “We support about 50 children from age five to late teens. “We believe very strongly that just because your parents have a problem with drugs and alcohol doesn’t mean you can’t achieve in life. “We offer emotional and practical support, as well as fun activities. The aim is to reduce their feeling of isolation and put a smile on their faces.” The charity decided to hold the event after receiving donations collected at Mr Samson’s funeral.
As reported, the 54-year-old former executive director of Children’s Services died after falling into Buck Beck Cleethorpes on November 1 last year.