Page 35 - link magazine

Local Lives

50 years of Christian Aid

Celebrations were held in September to mark Christian Aid's half century of promoting self-reliance in poor countries.
Locally a birthday party was addressed by the Bishop of Swindon Revd. Michael Doe
Carolyn Soulsby of Westlea Church gives her perspective

A luxury cruise, an ideal home, a Christian Aid also runs a trade • Planting trees to retain water The rationale behind all Chris-
trip to a secluded island, is this campaign, encouraging us to buy and prevent erosion; tian Aid's work is the desire to put
your dream?.. maybe.. or could it fairly traded goods such as Cafe • Working with those trying to into practice Christian teaching
be clean water, sufficient food and Direct, and lobbying the govern- preserve their livelihood in the about human dignity and the equal
clothing, health care for all the fam- ment to increase the British aid tropical rainforests; worth of all people, as well as show-
ily, education for the children? budget, which is currently below • Supporting the oppressed of ing practical love for our neigh-
For most of us there are things the 0.7% of the GNP recommended whatever age, e.g. street bours as commanded by Jesus in
we take for granted and can't im- by the United Nations. children or children used the parable of the good Samaritan.
agine being without. For millions However the majority of the illegally in carpet making By supporting Christian Aid you
of people they are not part of daily money raised (88.8%) is used in in India, Nepal and Pakistan; can help those which society re-e
jects
experience but the sort of things relief aid and development work • building local amenities for jects and often chooses to forget.
they can only dream about. overseas. As well as providing shanty town dwellers and the If you can help, the local secre-
Some of those dreams become disaster relief in the form of food, construction of wells where tary is Phyllis Peet who can be
reality thanks to the work of Chris- medicine, transport and shelter, needed. contacted on 535154.
tian Aid, which aims is to search Christian Aid supports a wide
for creative ways to address the range of projects in developing Collection income
root causes of poverty, injustice countries working to improve the Although income from the house to house collection across Swindon
and the denial of the most basic health and living conditions of the was slightly less than last year, the amount raised from collections in
human rights of life. local people.
Toothill, Westlea and Shaw went up, with the people of Shaw contrib-
The West Swindon Ecumenical Churches raised £250 for Christian Aid from uting nearly £300 more than in 1994.
a barbecue at the West Swindon Centre last May. Pictured from left, Nick and Toothill
£352.28
Audrey Hutchinson, Christine Rogers, Jean Hill, Maria Hannah, Carol Westlea £235.68
Farrow, Chris Stanley Shaw
£764.16
In addition, a further £797.45 was raised in the West Swindon area
from hunger lunches, events at Toothill and Oliver Tomkins Schools
and a burger stall at the West Swindon Centre during the year.

Freshbrook Parish of West Swindon
Evangelical & The Lydiards
Anglican, Baptist, Methodist, URC
Church
All Saints, L. Millicent (10.30am)
Worsley Road (for the village & Roughmoor)
Revd Peter Knight 772417
Will give YOU
Holy Trinity, Shaw (10.30am)
a warm welcome Revd Andrew Hetherington 770568
Sunday I Own Family Praise St. Mary's, L.Tregoze (10.30am)
with children's Covenanter (for Freshbrook, Grange Park, Hook)
It all began in response to the They have found over the years Movement & creche Revd Rob Buries 870244
needs of refugees in Europe dur- that people's lives improve the 630pm Evening Worship and Toothill Church (10.45am)
ing the Second World War when most when they are allowed to Communion Revd George Gibson 692620
(also free-church minister for parish)
the British and Irish Churches set make their own decisions, so For details of mid-week
Westlea Church (lOam)
up an organisation called 'Chris- money is passed to approved 'part- meetings, house groups and Revd Peter Walker 872932
tian Reconstruction in Europe': the ner groups' overseas who admin- other activities, telephone the Evening & other services as announced,
name 'Christian Aid wasn't ister the projects making full use Church Office, Tel: 873050 full range of childrens' & other groups
adopted until 1964. of the local knowledge and skills
It is a popular misunderstand- and ensuring that the money is
ing that Christian Aid only ben- spent wisely to benefit those in
efits Christians. In fact it helps greatest need. HILLIER
those in greatest need in over 70 This method of working results
countries world wide, regardless in a sense of dignity and self re- FUNERAL
of nationality or religion. spect being maintained in those
Part of the funds raised are used receiving support and encourages SERVICE LTD.
in Britain. There is a theatre com- them to work towards becoming.
pany which goes into schools and self reliant.
other community groups with the The kinds of projects Christian 170 Victoria Road 252 Whitworth Road

purpose of drawing attention to Aid is involved with are numer- Swindon
Swindon
the issues of poverty and injustice ous, including: Tel: 522797 Tel: 522145
through lively drama and enter-
tainment. A small percentage of • Helping farmers to work PRiVATE CHAPELS OF REST
income is given to support com- together, understand
munity and project work related land rights, discover 24 hour personal service throughout the year
to different racial groups in de- new crops/methods of A FAMILY BUSINESS OFFERING HELP
prived areas in the UK and in Ire- farming and gain access to
land. unused land; AND ADVICE W1IEN MOST NEEDED