Public Safety
Only Cowards Carry Weapons Awareness was founded in November 2012 by Caroline Shearer in memory of her 17 year old son Jay Whiston, who was fatally stabbed in September 2012. Continually driven by the devastating loss of Jay, Caroline and her team has worked tirelessly to promote Only Cowards Carry Weapons Awareness in the hope that young people understand the stark facts and devastating, life changing, true reality of knife crime. Caroline began to investigate education given to children at school, and discovered that although children were being taught internet safety, road safety and even sex education from as young as 7 years old, there was no provision for weapons awareness education.
Open Road is a registered charity that provides support for individuals affected by drugs and alcohol across Essex and Suffolk. We also work with the Norfolk & Suffolk Community Rehabilitation Company.Open Road was established in 1990 by Richard Ashrowan and Bridie McElroy at their home in Colchester. Open Road subsequently moved to the Trinity Centre in Colchester.