Mission Giving at St Andrew's

Each year at St Andrew's we give 10% of our income from the collection plate and from Christian stewardship (regular donations) to other Christian and non-Christian organisations that we believe need our support. As you will see from the list below, we always try to split that giving between international, national and local charities.

Christmas Collections for 2008

The Christmas collections for 2008 were shared equally between the following charities:

• TOOLS WITH A MISSION (International) - Enables people to become more self-sufficient through the provision of tools (carpentry, gardening, plumbing, sewing etc.. mainly refurbished by workshop volunteers) consignments are sent to known agencies for defined needs. Each container costs about £3000 to send. Also make provision for families to benefit from a store of clean, uncontaminated water.
• CRISIS AT CHRISTMAS (National) - Helping Britain’s homeless by providing accommodation, food and support, and helping people to build self-confidence and obtain the skills which will facilitate long-term solution to their problems.
• EMMAUS VILLAGE CARLTON (Local) - Emmaus Communities offer homeless men and women a home, work and the chance to rebuild their self-respect in a supportive, community environment.

Mission Giving for 2008

The mission giving for 2008 will be distributed as follows.  The percentage figure is the percentage of the total for the whole year.  The remaining funds are held back for emergency appeals and situations during 2009. 

Please pray for the work of all these organisations.

International:

• MERCY SHIPS (20%) - promotes health and well-being by serving the surgical needs of the forgotten poor and empowering developing communities.
• WORLD VISION (20%) - an International development and humanitarian aid agency dedicated to the relief of suffering and improvement in the quality of life amongst the world’s poorest people.

National:

• HELP FOR HEROES (10%) - providing vital support and treatment (physical and psychological) for grievously wounded servicemen and women.
• MACMILLAN CANCER SUPPORT (10%) - seeks to improve the lives of people affected by Cancer through the provision of practical, medical, emotional and financial support.

Local:

• EAST ANGLIAN AIR AMBULANCE (10%) - a life-saving service operated across Beds., Cambs., Suffolk and Norfolk that is entirely dependent upon fund-raising and voluntary contributions. Two air ambulances and specialist equipment need to be kept available 365 days of the year, and cost £3 million. 
• KEECH COTTAGE HOSPICE (10%) - providing support for families who are caring for children and young people with a life-limiting condition. Based in Luton, and serving Bedfordshire and the surrounding area.

For details of our mission giving for 2007, click here.