Here in Holmes Chapel, as more of our family, friends, and neighbours receive their COVID vaccinations, we rejoice and are glad that our loved ones are protected. We give thanks for all the NHS staff and key workers who continue to save lives across the UK.
For the poorest and most vulnerable communities across the world, there is little hope of a vaccine rollout. These people already face a lack of water, food, and healthcare.
Christian Aid is already on the ground, helping keep people safe from coronavirus with practical support – but with your gift of thanks we can do more.
Have you or your loved ones had your vaccine?
Please give thanks with a donation to help protect our global neighbours while the vaccine is out of reach.
Our group in Holmes Chapel have set up an online giving page with Tap Simple on this link:
TapSimple is the online payment method preferred by Christian Aid Head Office, and whilst it has a small charge similar to Just Giving, the charge covers the cost of keeping the payment information safe and secure online under GDPR regulations.
If you are unable to download the link above, or have any queries or questions please speak to Caroline Wood on 01477 535746 who will be happy to discuss other ways to make a donation.
(Holmes Chapel Christian Aid Co-ordinator).
Thank you for taking the time to read this article in anticipation of your kind support for the very important work of Christian Aid.
Lent Pledge 2021 – Loving Our Neighbours and Creation
This year we are sadly unable to hold our popular annual Lent soup lunches and music concerts to raise much needed funds for Christian Aid.
However, around the country, some churches, groups and individuals are taking a pledge to reduce their impact on the planet and on the world’s poorest communities who suffer disproportionately as a result of climate chaos. Could you join us to make a stand for Climate Justice?
Together we can make a difference as we work with Christian Aid towards our vision of a world where everyone can live a full life, free from poverty.
Why not use the 40 days of Lent to pledge some changes and help us to raise funds for Christian Aid to help achieve their vision.
Some ways to make a change- although you may think of your own ones! :
We are all using our cars less during Lockdown- and walking is free and non- polluting- could you pledge to donate what you are saving on fuel during the 40 days of Lent?
Can you turn down your heating thermostat by 1-2 degrees during Lent and pledge what you save on fuel costs? A simple lowering of the thermostat can also save up to 10% on your fuel bill.
Can you reduce your meat consumption during Lent? Producing 1kg of beef creates more CO2 gas emissions than going for a 3 hour car drive whilst leaving all the lights on at home! Vegetables are a cheaper option and reduce your carbon footprint. Could you pledge what you save by eating less meat and more vegetables during Lent?
Giving up chocolate for Lent is quite a common annual practice by some- could you pledge to donate what you would normally spend on chocolate during the 40 days of Lent?
If you feel you would like to support our Holmes Chapel Christian Aid Group in the Lent fundraiser this year, please contact our representatives in Holmes Chapel at St Luke’s, St Margaret’s or the Methodist Chapel – or contact Caroline Wood on 01477 535746 or 07742930346 or email at carolineawood18@gmail.com for more information and a pledge sheet to use during the 40 days of Lent which runs this year from Wednesday February 17th to Thursday April 1st 2021.
However, if you would like to support us in this fundraiser during Lent and do not require a pledge sheet, please forward your donation at the end of Lent to the following bank account:
“Christian Aid” Sort Code 20-24-09 Account number 43608107
And mark your payment with the reference ‘Lent Pledge’
Alternatively, if you prefer, please send a cheque payable to Christian Aid to:
The Treasurer, Holmes Chapel Christian Aid Group, 89 Needham Drive, Cranage CW4 8FB
Thank you for taking the time to read this article and please contact us with any queries.
In anticipation of your kind support for the very important work of Christian Aid.
Caroline Wood Holmes Chapel Ecumenical Christian Aid Group
A very big ‘’Thank You !!!’’ to everyone who supported us during Christian Aid Week in May.
Donations to our Group’s Just Giving Page together with cheques and cash sent to the Committee raised a magnificent sum in excess of £2300 during May which includes Gift Aid where appropriate.
Whilst this is less than 50% normally raised in our annual House to House envelope collection in and around Holmes Chapel, this is an amazing result in light of the current Covid 19 situation and will be used by Christian Aid to help the most needy and vulnerable around the world during this very difficult time.
If you missed the chance to donate for Christian Aid Week, and would still like to do so, the Group’s online Just Giving page can still be found online on the following link:
Christian Aid faces a huge dilemma this year. For decades, it has relied on the generous donations of the general public to fund its overseas aid and development programmes aimed at alleviating poverty and addressing crisis situations. Last year the total raised was in excess of £8m and engaged around 57,000 volunteers. This year, due to Covid-19, there are no door-to-door collections, but we are still being encouraged to donate. This year the focus is on Kenya, which is experiencing its worst drought in living memory, and now has Coronavirus to contend with too. The prospect is extremely worrying. What were we all told to do to combat Coronavirus? “Wash your hands”. Well, that’s not difficult if you have soap and water. Christian Aid is helping Kenyan’s to build water traps and dams, without which many will die from a basic lack of water and hygiene. We remember from Holy Week how when Pontius Pilate could not find any fault in Jesus he ‘washed his hands’ claiming to be “innocent of this man’s blood” (Matt 27:24). Please let’s not “wash our hands” of the plight of our Kenyan brothers and sisters. If you can, please donate a little something to Christian Aid this year.
Holmes Chapel Ecumenical Christian Aid Group realised that handling cash would not be an option in the current situation and have set up a Just Giving page to enable supporters to donate online.
The link for the Holmes Chapel Group Just giving page can be found here:
The donations will go directly to the central Christian Aid Fund but by using this link, we will in due course, be able to give you the normal information about how much has been collected locally for Christian Aid.
We are very conscious indeed that at this unusual time, finances can be difficult and not everyone uses a computer. We would like all supporters of Christian Aid to be assured that the group will be resuming normal fund raising opportunities as soon as they are allowed, but in the meantime, we felt that we had to put some facility in place rather than not try at all.
If you have any queries, please speak to Sue Wood 01477 534842.
