Preston's street pastors get year's supply of flip flops to help girls wearing uncomfortable heels on a night out

Every year the Pastors give out around 250 pairs of flip-flops to women on a Saturday night out in the city - in a bid to stop them hurting themselves.

“Almost every Saturday night we find young women who are no longer able to wear their high heeled shoes,” said Street Pastors coordinator Dave Brown.

“There can be broken glass on the pavement and we have come across young women with cuts to their feet having walked barefoot.

“We do administer first aid but much prefer to provide flip-flops so that injuries can be avoided.”

Philip Dunn, general manager at The Legacy Preston International Hotel made the donation after hearing about what Street Pastors do at a recent Pub Watch meeting in Preston City.

Philip said, “The hotel is delighted to support such a worthwhile cause, at its 
essence their aim is to ensure people’s welfare”.

Street Pastors offer the flip-flops as a gift to those they meet and do not take any payment.

Just recently Street 
Pastors received an email which reads: “Hello, I would just like to thank you for the assistance you gave me last night when I was not able to look after myself, I had a cut foot from broken glass and you kindly tended to my wounds and gave me some flip flops.

“My mother was very appreciative of the assistance you gave, it’s brilliant the work you do in Preston’s streets”

The Preston and South Ribble Street Pastors are trained volunteers from local churches and started patrolling in 2008.

They patrol from 8pm to midnight on Friday nights in the St Matthew’s and New Hall Lane area of Preston, 
spending time with young 
people on the estates; calling into shops, takeaways, pubs and clubs to chat with local people.

On Saturday nights they patrol from 10.30pm to 3.30am in Preston City Centre.

Their priorities are ensuring the homeless are looked after and know where to go to find help as well as helping revellers stay out of trouble.