Christian Aid 2021 and 2022

CHRISTIAN AID APPEAL

The people of St. Martin's regard it as an integral part of their Christian faith and duty to be aware of the needs of others, especially those in poor, underdeveloped or disaster-struck countries which are unable to help themselves.

The charity "Christian Aid" specifically works in such countries, and looks to the Church in more affluent parts of the world for the support and fundraising they need.

Our main Appeal each year is in May for Christian Aid Week, but we respond to Emergency Appeals at other times, and continue to collect throughout the year for then next Appeal, bearing out our motto:
"AT ST. MARTIN'S EVERY WEEK IS CHRISTIAN AID WEEK"

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SAINT MARTIN'S CHRISTIAN AID APPEAL 2022

In 2022, we have seen even more hardship as more disasters are suffered around the world.

In March we responded to Christian Aid's Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal, and were able to send an emergency payment of £500 in April.

Then, for our Annual Appeal, we were able to re-instate more of our usual Fundraising activities as COVID restrictions were relaxed, and in June we were able to send off a cheque for £3000 - more on that below!

As famines worsened in Africa, we responded with a further Emergency Appeal, resulting in a further cheque for £535 to the East Africa Hunger Crisis Appeal in October. Meanwhile, Father Mike Wagstaff was setting off on a sponsored walk, as he made a pilgrimage along the Camino Way in Spain to Santiago de Compostela, and he dedicated the funds raised through this also to our African Famine Appeal.

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OUR ANNUAL APPEAL FOR 2022

We started with our Smartie tube collection during Lent

During Lent, a(free!) tube of Smarties was given to every member of the Church.

People were asked to eat the Smarties, and then to bring the tube back filled with cash.

1p and 20p pieces fit the tubes well - £1.00 coins fit the tubes even better!

Best of all, some tubes are returned containing rolled-up notes or cheques.

In 2022, this raised £171.

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On April 30th we were able to hold our Jumble Sale for the first time since 2019, and this raised £223.

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We were not able to reinstate our Lent Lunches this year, but donations were given in lieu of what people would have given, totalling £223.

This year 'Stations of the Cross' Services were held every Wednesday in Lent, and donations at these Services all went to Christian Aid, and together with donations at our Services throughout May these raised £885.

And from the envelopes distributed with our May Parish Magazines, to our Church members and the wider community in Christian Aid Week, an amazing £1,496 was received.

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SAINT MARTIN'S CHRISTIAN AID APPEAL 2021

In November 2020 we were shocked and saddened by the loss of our former Christian Aid organiser Steven Turnbull in a swimming accident. Donations in his memory were invited, and the amount raised by this Appeal was an incredible £3,150.00

We also continued to do as many of our usual Fundraising activities as COVID restrictions permitted: Our Smartie Tube collections took place as usual during Lent, raising £250.00, and we received £1000.00 in donations for our (virtual) Lent Lunches. We welcomed Helen Chapman as our new Christian Aid Co-ordinator, who organised the activities allowed during Christian Aid Week, which took place on 10-16 May. Envelopes were delivered via the Parish Magazine and to houses in the parish, and a further £2350.00 was raised from those returned.

So a cheque for £6750.00 was sent off in June to Christian Aid, and with £1641 of this Gift Aided, the total donation from the Parish exceeded £7,000.00!

We also joined in Christian Aid’s ‘Wave of Hope’ message to the G7 Summit meeting in June. See more by following this link:

Wave Of Hope

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Our motto continues to be:
"AT ST. MARTIN'S EVERY WEEK IS CHRISTIAN AID WEEK"

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