Share Shrewsbury has launched a new crowdfunding campaign to bring alcohol awareness workshops into local secondary schools. Called Amy’s Story: Alcohol Awareness Workshops, the project aims to raise £11,429 on the civic fundraising platform Spacehive to fund a pilot programme in Shropshire. The workshops will be offered free to schools that otherwise could not afford them, equipping young people with the knowledge, resilience, and confidence to make safer choices about alcohol.

At the heart of the campaign is a personal tragedy that has been transformed into a mission for prevention. Founder Jane Mackenzie lost her daughter Amy to alcohol, and now her story is being shared with students as a way to spark reflection and awareness. Jane explains that these sessions are not about fear but about empowerment, helping children understand the risks and build the strength to make healthier decisions before it is too late.

The interactive workshops use practical tools like “beer goggles” to demonstrate the effects of intoxication and are mapped to the PSHE curriculum. Parents and carers are also included through tailored sessions to encourage open conversations at home. By reaching Year 8 pupils in particular, the programme addresses a critical age when young people are forming habits and facing pressures around alcohol use.

But this work depends on community support. Share Shrewsbury is calling on individuals and especially local businesses to back the campaign. Every £250 raised funds a workshop, and thanks to Crowdfund Shropshire, donations could be matched by partners such as Shropshire Council. As the campaign page puts it, “Every pound pledged may help to save a young life.”

The project is live now: https://www.spacehive.com/amy-s-story-alcohol-awareness-workshops (UK, September 2025)