Volunteers needed for groundbreaking drama (From Runcorn and Widnes World)
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Wanted: Volunteers for ride mobility scooters in loan shark drama
4:23pm Thursday 28th February 2013 in News By Barbara Jordan
Volunteers needed for groundbreaking drama
AN exciting dance performance which uses synchronised mobility scooters to warn of the dangers of loan sharks is looking for volunteers.
Seven adults are needed for a groundbreaking drama being staged at The Brindley, which Halton Council is organising with the England Illegal Money Lending Team.
The innovative approach has been recognised by the Arts Council England who have match funded the project with Trading Standards, ensuring that arts and innovative ideas continue to thrive in Halton.
Arts development officer, Martin Cox, said: "Ladies and older adults living is isolation are among the most vulnerable groups to loan sharks.
"Creating Dance with mobility scooters symbolises this in a fun relaxed way, but also makes it accessible, because participants don’t need to be able to dance, or be particularly mobile, they just need to be able to steer and hit stop at the right moments.
"Participants don’t need to own a mobility scooter or have any experience in dance or driving a scooter.
The drama is being created by a team of leading dance and film professionals, and partly funded with the proceeds of crime money taken from convicted loan sharks.
An estimated 310,000 households are in debt to a loan shark.
These criminals usually appear friendly at first but quickly trap their borrowers into spiralling debt.
Many lenders resort to the most extreme and callous methods to enforce repayment including threats, violence and intimidation.
Tony Quigley head of the England Illegal Money Lending Team, said “Through this innovative production we can highlight a serious message, reaching a wide audience. Illegal money lending is a despicable crime which causes nothing but harm to our communities.
“These lenders may appear to be offering a community service but borrowers are often forced to pay back far and above what they have borrowed and can afford.”
Anyone interested in taking part in the performance should contact Martin Cox on 0151 907 8360 or martin.cox@halton.gov.uk
Anyone who has been the victim of a loan shark call in confidence on 0300 555 2222 for help.
