Lent campaign raises over £240 for families in crisis

Thank you to everyone who supported the St Andrew's 'Safety Net' campaign during Lent - you helped raise £245.56, including Gift Aid.

Every £1 donated 'bought' a link in our paperchain net now proudly on display in the church (see photo).

The money will support The Children's Society Strengthening the Safety Net campaign, ongoing throughout the year, which is asking supporters to contact their local councils to ask them to give families in financial crisis better support.

Why we need to keep campaigning

Councils' budgets are under threat and many are cutting back on the amount they set by for emergency funds for families in need; one in seven councils no longer even provide this cover.  

St Andrew's is asking people who supported our Lent campaign to sign up to Strengthening the Safety Net. Church member Nicky West said: "The link takes you to The Children's Society website, where you can join the campaign just by filling out a simple address form. It doesn't take long and then you see the letter which goes to your local councillor, in your name.

"I shall be interested to see if Councillors Kevin Cuffley and Roger Hickford [Sawston and Shelford division, Cambridgeshire County Council] respond - maybe if everyone who goes to St Andrew's and even those who don't email them through The Children's Society they will think about doing something?

"It's definitely worth trying and I'm already encouraging my family and friends to log in and sign up - and send those letters off!"

The photo shows Nicky (right) and Janet outside St Andrew's holding up some of the paperchain links from the Lent campaign (the rest were displayed in the church).