Greater Manchester Probation Trust

Rugby Legend Awards Offenders

FORMER Wigan Rugby League great Andy Gregory handed out certificates to offenders who have completed educational courses.

The scrum half, who made 26 appearances for Great Britain, played for the town from 1989 until 1992.

Andy gave certificates to two offenders who completed NVQs, and handed out certificates to four more who are working towards the qualification. The NVQs, in cooking and catering, are run inconjunction with City College.

Offenders are given the chance to study while carrying out unpaid work sentences staffing a luncheon club for the elderley, under supervision of the town’s Community Payback Unit.

Andy, who is now a consultant for construction firm Hughes Brothers, said: “A lot of us do daft things in our lives, if it wasn’t for rugby I could have ended up in real trouble. It’s crucial to give people a second chance.

“It’s brilliant that offenders work here and help provide a place where the elderly can meet each other and enjoy a chat, and it’s great that through this scheme some are giving education another go.”

The offenders cook two-course meals from Monday to Thursday in the Upper Morris Street Working Men’s Club, in School Street.

Mum-of-two Naomi Carruthers, who works in catering, received her NVQ Level 2 certificate from Andy.

She said: “I loved getting the chance to study, I learnt about food hygiene, preparation and about good customer service.

“I got pregnant when I was 16 and didn’t do well at school, I’ve never had the opportunity to go to college until now and it’s really made me want to do more. The tutor Liz Sutcliffe was fantastic.”

Jane Frappola, Community Payback Officer, said: “We are delighted Andy gave up his time to see the work we do, meet the beneficiaries and hand out certificates.

“We run courses to help get people back into education and improve their employment potential, that’s one of the best ways to stop people re-offending.”

The luncheon club was started by Greater Manchester Probation Trust in 1983 and has become a permanent fixture in the lives of scores of people, all aged over-50, who pay just £3 per meal.