Photo: Marie Ness, Authorised Lay Minister and Billie Jenkins, Communications and Fundraising Manager, Children North East receiving the Lent Collection.
During Lent, churches in Bellingham Deanery collected donations for the charity Children North East.
The charity, which was established 134 years ago, helps transform the lives of babies, young people and families across our region. It delivers services, support and initiatives that provide a platform for babies, children, young people and families to work through issues and take action through therapeutic services, mental health support, youth work and family support.
Donations collected by the churches featured items that could be used by the charity for fundraising (including over 50 bottles of wine). Among the donations there were also toiletries which will be given directly to families in need.
Children North East have valued the donations of wine, chocolates, toiletries, toys and other items at an amazing £3,234. In addition to these donations over £348 was raised for Children North East at the St. Peter’s Falstone monthly Coffee Morning on 22nd April and through individual donations. So, the total benefit to the charity is £3,582.
Billie Jenkins, Communications and Fundraising Manager for the charity, said: “It’s hard to state how much of an impact that will make or how touched we are by the generosity of your parishioners and communities. I hope this brings you a huge amount of pride."
Marie Ness (Authorised Lay Minister) and Sarah Lunn (Area Dean) coordinated the Lent Collection.
Marie said: "One of the key messages I took away from the recent ALM refresher training run by Nic Denyer and Ric Waite, was that we need to become more aware of the people and issues that surround us.
"Organising the Lent Collection for the Children North East Charity was a very practical way to demonstrate God’s love in our communities”.
The photo above shows Billie Jenkins, Communications and Fundraising Manager for the Children North East charity receiving the Lent Collection and Marie Ness who together with Sarah Lunn delivered the Lent collection.
Billie Jenkins said: “I would like to share a heartfelt thank you from Children North East to Bellingham Deanery parishioners, who came together this Easter in generous support of the charity and its communities by donating items and fundraising.
"Your incredible response to the collection will help bring health and happiness to babies, children and young people across our region by helping raise funds for essential services such as mental health support and help for families in crisis - as well as providing essential goods such as period products and toiletries to distribute during the difficult summer holidays. Every donation makes a huge difference to our mission. We are so grateful for your partnership.”
Sarah Lunn, Area Dean, said: “Supporting the charity Children North East was of special significance, as my grandfather was one of the original founders of the charity 134 years ago.”
In the late 1800s, John T. Lunn and John H. Watson were concerned about the health of poor children living in Newcastle slums and, with the support of the public, organised seaside trips for these children. In 1893, they established The Newcastle Poor Children's Seaside Trips Association. Sarah’s ambition and vision is to continue to work in partnership with Children North East to support the needs of children and families in our rural communities.
For more information please contact Revd. Sarah Lunn, Area Dean 01434 681721.
Written by Marie Ness