Southport CARES for children
Coalition Against Removal of kids Emergency & other Services
THE SOUTHPORT PROTEST MARCH
The day that Southport said:
NO!
Sunday 17th August 2003
The local population showed the NHS Trust bosses just what they thought about their crazy cuts in our children's and maternity services when thousands of protesters joined forces in a massive show of strength. 14,365 signatories on petitions were later delivered to Mark Winstanley of the Primary Care Trust and Andrew Johnson of the NHS Trust.
Pictures from the day
Marchers crossing Eastbank Street bridge
The march heads up Scarisbrick New Road
The march at Scarisbrick New Road.
Thousands of marchers flooding through the streets.
Meols Cop Fields
Mark Winstanley finds humour in the situation after being presented with petitions from over 14,000 residents.
Bill Givens of the Steering Group expresses his concerns over children's lives to the NHS representatives.
Cath Regan, flanked by Angela Weatherby of the Steering Group, addresses the NHS bosses on behalf of the local populace.
Andrew Johnson (NHS Trust) struggling with thousands of petitions
The weather held out for us and the turnout was tremendous with thousands of supporters taking to the streets with homemade banners and signs.
Although the final estimation of numbers is not yet completed, police have mentioned to us that possibly over ‘three thousand’ attended. When the frontline of marchers reached the top of Eastbank Street Bridge the procession stretched right back to Lord Street and beyond. Mums, dads, grannies, granddads, aunts and uncles all came out with their children to show the NHS Trust that we ‘demand’ our children’s and maternity services returning now.
A Cry of: “what do we want - our services back - when do we want them –now,” echoed through the lines of marchers.
New marchers joined in all along the route to end up at Meols Cop Field. A delegation from the Steering Committee then walked over to the Hospital and children presented Andrew Johnson & Mark Winstanley (NHS bosses) with 14,365 names on petitions against the cuts.
Members of the Steering Group informed the Trust’s leaders that we demand our services back and that we are will continue to protest and work against their transferral of our vital services. We will ‘not’ be appeased by half-way compromises such as a proposed new Minor injuries unit to replace our lost services.
The S.G. would like to thank the following for their support:
The Southport Visiter and Formby Times for all their accurate coverage and support.
The Daily Post for coverage.
Peter and Liz Eaton of Junes Balloons for their kind donation and Katie for her assistance.
Dune FM for coverage and support.
McDonalds for refreshments.
Holmeswood Coaches.
Saint Johns ambulance.
The Sewing Basket, Formby.
All leaflet and poster makers.
The Image Centre for tee shirts and flyers.
John Price for all kind Support.
Johnsons for flatback truck.
Police & Sefton Council.
Everyone who came along to the march.
The Richmond pub for use of facilities.
Safeway & Tesco for permitting us to collect petitions in their stores.
Stewards.
Our campaign will continue until the NHS trust ‘really’ listens to the people they are supposed to serve!
Catherine Regan & Angela Weatherby Co-chairs
CARES Steering Committee.
Ends.
Coalition Against Removal of kids Emergency and other Services