Crash driver was police instructor Samaritans’
A GOLD BMW estate involved in a serious accident on the A20 at Bearsted was being driven by a police driving in- structor. His three passengers were of-
ficers undergoing driving train- ing.
Police say the BMW, which
was travelling eastbound, was in collision with a Mazda pulling out of Caring Lane, turning right on to the A20.
Two people were seriously
hurt and three suffered minor injuries in the accident, which closed the road for several hours from 2.54pm on Friday, October 18. A Kent Police spokesman
said: “The police driving in- structor and officers were on a training exercise, theywere not responding to any incident call.” The Serious Collision Inves-
tigation Unit is investigating the circumstances. But the spokesman added: “Police vehicles are fitted with data recorders, which in this case has shown the police BMW was within the 60mph national speed limit.” All injured parties have since
been released from hospital. Witnesses to the accident are
asked to contact the police on 01622 798538.
You can help to care for homeless
DOWNS Mail is inviting our readers to join in a cam- paign to protect and care for the town’s homeless this Christmas and winter. It is simple. All you need to do to help is give a little
food, time or money. The new Maidstone Churches Winter Shelter and
MaidstoneDayCentre campaign will offerawarmwel- come overnight for the homeless in the coldestwinter months. Church members and other volunteers in seven par- ticipating churches will provideanevening meal, shel- ter for the night and support towards a better future. The campaign is being supported byMaidstone Sal-
vationArmy through Major GraysonWilliamsandMaid- stoneandWealdMPMrs Helen Grant,nowminister of sportandequalities,whoplans tohelp inthechurches. This is how Downs Mail readers can show true sea-
sonal spirit to help ensure success: Food: Non-perishable food can be taken to The Sal- vation Army, 74-80 Union Street, Maidstone (easy on- site parking). Time:Volunteers are needed to help at the churches
www.directorshairandbeauty.co.uk 01622 738772
Maidstone and the WealdMP Helen Grant with Major Grayson Williams of the Salvation Army
(
www.maidstoneshelter.org.uk/volunteer.php) Money: It is easy to make a donation online or by text (
www.maidstoneshelter.org.uk/donate.php). DownsMail editor Stephen Eighteen said: “I believe
this campaign will touch the hearts of readers. We limit our appeals – but we know how generous and helpful our readers can be.”
Late nights Tues
& Thurs
60th birthday THE Samaritans Movement re- cently celebrated its 60th birth- day. Its founder, Prebendary Dr
Chad Varah CH CBE, took the very first call to the helpline in November 1953. To mark this event, and in conjunction with BT, Maid- stone Samaritans was one of just 20 branches in the UK to have a telephone booth deco- rated with posters. A call box on Vinters Park was selected andsigns were putupbyBT. Local councillor David Naghi came along to show his sup- port. The Maidstone branch in Grecian Street has been open for 38 years. It has 79 volun- teers. Last year the answered more than 27,500 local and na- tional calls, emails and texts. Branch director Will Merri-
field said: “We are really proud that the Samaritans have been helping people through diffi- cult times for 60 years. People can contact us at any time of day or night. We are also al- ways looking for volunteers.” Maidstone andWeald Samar-
itans are based at 48 Grecian Street, Maidstone, ME14 2TS. They can be contacted on 01622 674444 or via email
jo@samaritans.org. For details go to
www.samaritans.org/ maidstone.
We have Christmas all wrapped up with our range of festive gift packs
Cut& Finish
Introductory Offer 50% Off
stockists of
for all new customers
*Valid until January 15th 2014 on production of this advert. Can not be used in conjunction with any other offer.
7 Yeoman Court, Ashford Road, Bearsted To contact Downs Mail just phone 01622 630330 East 3
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