Duck tombolas, handmade cards and salmon suppers were part of the amazing and creative fundraising efforts that churches in the Diocese of Gloucester completed to support Christian Aid Week this year.
The charity has thanked its supporters in the diocese for their fundraising during Christian Aid Week, as well for their prayers, solidarity actions for Gaza, the commitment to the Restore campaign, and for the many donations and gifts.
We take a look at some of the highlights of this year’s fundraising efforts.
Bourton on the Water get creative with ducks
Bourton on the Water with Clapton and the Rissingtons held a rubber duck fundraiser in support of Christian Aid Week. Supporters were asked to give a donation in exchange for a rubber duck, and they were challenged to take it away and submit photos of the duck in amusing or creative locations.
Rubber ducks were taken and photographed in many areas, including as far afield as Ireland and France. All photos were displayed in the church and visitors voted for their favourites.
The winning photo is shown below, depicting a rubber duck styled as Donald Trump in a toy helicopter.
Local shopkeepers also supported Christian Aid Week by donating duck-themed items, which the church used in a ‘duck tombola’ at a Christian Aid coffee morning.
Altogether, the benefice managed to raise about £400.
St Catharine’s, Gloucester make a big impact
St Catharine’s Church hosted a series of events to support Christian Aid Week, raising £1,173 in total.
This included Lent Lunches, where they served home-made soups and bread, and raised £474.25 including some Gift Aid. An envelope collection also added another £327.
A Coffee, Cake and Books event, where attendees enjoyed refreshments and browsing donated books in the church garden, raised £740.
Retired minister Michael Butler, who has been a supporter of Christian Aid since his ordination in 1965, also contributed at the event by selling his handmade greeting cards.
Michael said:
“The Coffee, Cake and Books event was hosted by Lesley Barratt, so I give my honours to her. She has been a huge supporter of Christian Aid, and has done something every year.
“I contributed some cards that like many amateur artists, I make to sell for £2 a time. This time I gave all donations to Christian Aid.
“I sold 24 cards, so I raised £48 this year.
“I have always liked Christian Aid. I like the slogan ‘I believe in life before death’. It’s a practical outreach of Christ’s compassion.”
Salmon suppers, Christian Aid concert and plant sales
Bishop’s Cleeve and Woolston, Gotherington and Oxenton held coffee mornings, a Christian Aid concert, and a picture trail in local shops.
Painswick (Beacon Benefice) organised a ploughman’s lunch, a plant sale, cream teas and a salmon supper to raise money.
St Nicholas, Ashchurch also did a plant sale and a coffee morning.
Syde and Caudle Green, Ermin West Benefice raised £458.12 from door to door collections, with an estimation of £13.88 over the 33 occupied houses in the village.
Yvonne Penn, Church Engagement and Fundraising Officer for Gloucestershire, Bristol, Wiltshire and The Channel Islands, said: “I want to express thanks to church communities in the Gloucestershire area who have joined us this year during Christian Aid week.
“We are grateful for all the prayers, the many different and amazing fundraising activities, the solidarity actions for Gaza, the commitment to the Restore campaign and of course for the many many donations and gifts.
“I really enjoyed being able to travel around my area, meeting with old friends and making new contacts. We really know how to put the fun in fundraising.”
This year marks the 8oth anniversary of Christian Aid, who are dedicated to fighting against poverty and injustice across the world.
→ Find out more about Christian Aid’s 80 years of faith in action
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