Christingle service raises over £470

People attending our joyous Carols & Christingle service on Christmas Eve last year donated an amazing £473.88, which will help young people in projects across the UK.

Holding their Christingles in the beautiful candlelit church of St Andrew's, families and the community of St Andrew's came together to share the light of Jesus and spread a message of hope.

Christingle celebrations have been taking place in the UK for over 50 years. The Children's Society held its first Christingle service in Lincoln Cathedral in 1968, but Christingles themselves go back much further to 14th century Germany.

Made of an orange, with sweets and dried fruit, ribbons and a candle, the Christingle represents the world and all creation, the love and blood of Christ, and Jesus’s light in the world, bringing hope to people living in darkness.

Partnership lead Rob Needle from St Andrew's said: "This is an incredible amount, especially at this time of year when people have extra demands on their finances.

"It just shows how generous people are, and the money will help to support the work of The Children's Society - thank you to everyone who contributed!"

• To find out more about the work of The Children's Society and to make a donation, please visit their website.
• The photo below is from an earlier Christingle service held at St Andrew's.