Paul’s Pledge has been launched in Ceredigion

Paul’s Pledge, a campaign aiming to reduce alcohol-fuelled violence, was launched in Ceredigion on Friday, July 10.

The launch took place at Aberystwyth University, making it a successful campaign throughout the entire Dyfed Powys Police force area.

Paul Pugh, the victim of an unprovoked violent attack who will never fully recover from his injuries, was present at the event supported by his mother.

Paul, now aged 34, was left in a coma for two months following the unprovoked assault, on January 6, 2007, for which four men were jailed.

Despite the fact that he will never fully recover from injuries that left him having to learn how to walk and talk again, Paul is bravely using his experience to campaign against alcohol-fuelled violence.

Paul said: “I am so pleased that the Paul’s Pledge campaign is being launched in Ceredigion.

I don’t want to see anyone go through what we are going through. My family, my friends, Cwmamman FC, my therapists, Headway and the community have all been affected by the attack, which left me within an inch of losing my life for no reason. This campaign is my way of doing something positive after what has happened. The more people I can share my story with and show the consequences of violence, the more chance there is of stopping this from happening to anyone else.”

MP Mark Williams attended the launch and was fully supportive of the campaign stating that he will motion this campaign in the House of Commons.

Chief Inspector Nicola Carter and Inspector Rose Ann Lloyd from Dyfed Powys Police also attended along with representatives from the Community Safety Partnerships, licensing, youth groups and Aberystwyth University Students’ Union have pledged their support for the campaign.

At the launch, a 15-minute documentary about the attack on Paul was shown. It starts with the 999 call made to emergency services after the attack, which occurred outside the Old Cross Inn in Ammanford, Carmarthenshire.

In harrowing CCTV footage, viewers see Paul entering the Old Cross Inn with friends from his football team Cwmamman FC, and leaving on his own before being surrounded by his attackers who rained kicks and blows to his head and body in the devastating assault.

The footage, whilst dramatically capturing the scene, does not clearly show the attack, and has been released by Dyfed Powys Police and Carmarthenshire Community Safety Partnership at Paul’s wish.

The campaign is going to be rolled out in schools, colleges and youth clubs across Ceredigion.

County Commander for Ceredigion, Chief Inspector Nicola Carter, said: “Paul’s story is harrowing and really demonstrates the devastating consequences of alcohol-fuelled violence. Sharing his documentary about his experiences and the impact it has had on his and his family’s lives will serve a stark warning to others and hopefully make them think twice about getting involved in any violence. The campaign also encourages people to drink less alcohol on a night out as we know alcohol can have a massive impact on a person’s behaviour. Please show support for this campaign and sign Paul’s Pledge.”

• Take Paul’s Pledge – sign the online pledge to show your support to his campaign and vow to never condone violent behaviour, to walk away from aggression and violence and encourage friends and family to do the same. Visit www.causes.com/paulspledge.
• Watch the 15-minute documentary – http://youtu.be/FVPGtmkbm8g.  (or below)
• Please follow the Ceredigion twitter page for more information.

http://youtu.be/FVPGtmkbm8g.