Royal patron for Street Pastors

The charity behind the Street Pastors in Scotland has announced that Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh has accepted an invitation to become their Royal Patron.

The Ascension Trust (Scotland) encourages and enables Street, Rail and School Pastors throughout the country. It currently has Street Pastors active in 28 cities and towns across the country, and plans for five new initiatives in coming months.

Street Pastors are trained volunteers from churches of various denominations who spend time in their communities, often town centres late at night, providing pastoral and practical help where needed. The Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, the Rt Rev Dr Shaw Paterson, went on patrol with Pastors in Glasgow and Falkirk late last year.

Shaw Anderson, Chairman of Ascension Trust (Scotland) said: “It is a pleasure and an honour for us to learn that Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Edinburgh has accepted our invitation to become our Royal Patron. I know our various initiatives will welcome her presence and engagement as this wonderful Christian ministry of Street, Rail, School and other Pastors moves forward.”