May 16

Booze buxA PORT Macquarie church wants to help tackle the issue of binge-drinking in the town’s CBD. Police have welcomed the initiative, saying any support that helps young people stay out of trouble is worthwhile. 

Ignite Church, the youth arm of Grace Church on the Oxley Hwy, will use a bus to transport drunk or sick people home on a Friday night. Youth pastor Todd Murray raised funds to buy the bus, which already transports about 40 people to Ignite Church on a Wednesday night. 

The $10,000 bus will park near the corner of Horton and Clarence streets from about 8pm until midnight every Friday from April 4. Mr Murray said there would be a team of up to 10 people, including trained counsellors, handing out coffee and biscuits, as well as providing a lift home for those in need. 

“This is a community project aimed at reducing crime and helping teens learn that there is hope in life,” the pastor, 30, said. 

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