Every year St Mary’s Church supports a ‘Charity of the Year’ – through fundraising, (for the last 3 years we have raised over £10,000 per year for our chosen charities), as well as practical support and volunteering, prayer and raising awareness of each cause amongst the church and local community.

We are now looking for a local charity to support in 2019 and would love to hear your suggestions – perhaps a charity that has helped you, friends or family, or a cause you have heard about and would like to find out more.

We follow a three-year cycle of supporting an international, then national then local charity.  In 2016 our local charity was Riding for the Disabled at Gaddesden Place, in 2017 we supported Open Doors and their work in the Middle East, this year we are supporting Dementia UK, so we are looking for a local charity working nearby (within Hertfordshire or thereabouts) to support in 2019.

If you would like to suggest a charity to add to the list for consideration please send us an e-mail with a brief description of what they do.  The final decision will be made by the Charities committee at their next meeting, so please send us suggestions no later than 29th June.

Christian Aid is a UK charity working to end poverty worldwide and tackle the injustices that keep people poor.  They work in 37 countries, with people of all faiths and none, to stand up for dignity, equality and justice.

Collectors Urgently Needed:

Last year we raised nearly £3,000 in house-to-house collecting through the generosity of local people.  This year a number of regular collectors have had to drop out and we urgently need new collectors.

Could you help?  For just a couple of hours of your time – you can make a big difference to this great cause. We need to recruit some more collectors so please speak to Rachel Rimmer, Tim or Will if you can help.

As part of our fundraising we also have two events:

Big Brekkie:

Our monthly parish breakfast on 6th May (held from 8.45am until the 9.30 Parish Communion service) will be a ‘Big Brekkie’ with all money going to support Christian Aid. Everyone is welcome but please let us know that you are planning on coming – either sign up in church or let us know by e-mail.

Find out more about Christian Aid ‘Big Brekies’ here

Coffee Morning:

Tim and Sophy will be hosting a Coffee Morning at 11 Blackhorse Lane on Wednesday 16th May from 10.30 am–12.30 pm.  All are welcome. Please come along.

The Gospellers have smashed their fundraising target and ‘twinned’ 8 toilets at St Mary’s, helping those in desperate poverty to have access to a proper latrine, clean water and the information they need to be healthy.  Read more about Toilet Twinning on the charity’s website.

Any further donations towards their fundraising efforts would be most welcome – thank you!