The Augustinian Friars in Britain

Our Hearts are Restless until they Rest in You, Lord

FUNDRAISING FOR AYE

Parishes around the UK have been getting into the spirit of AYE London 2010 by fundraising for young people to travel to the event.  Some of the intended recipients – mostly from Kenya - are no longer able to take part because of visa problems, but the money will be distributed to other causes in their parishes or to others who were struggling with the cost of AYE.

In Clare, in Suffolk - a region famous for its antique shops - local dealers donated an item each for a charity auction held at the Priory, raising an incredible £2700.  In addition the Little Church and Youth squirreled away £70’s worth of coins in jars, and more is to come, following a tombola held at this year’s Craft Fair, where very generous parishioners donated all the prizes on offer.

At St Augustine’s in Hammersmith on 20 June, parishioners took advantage of their riverside location by organising a sponsored walk along the Thames, with a picnic along the way.  Parishioner and professional photographer, Lee Collie, took some great photos of the walk from the church to Barnes Bridge and back, to be used as evidence!

St Monicas in Hoxton Square was the venue to be on Friday 9 July, for the parish concert - ‘Gifted and Talented’. Parishioners of all ages came forward to perform a wide variety of acts including song, dance, rap and even some poetry reading.  It was a truly outstanding show of the gifts of all the parishioners and raised some serious money too.  Previously, women in the parish had also hosted a ‘Sunday Market’ outside the church drawing in people from this popular area of London.

An Elvis night was just one of the highlights of the fundraising activities in St John Stone, Woodvale, where thousands of pounds have been raised by the parish community. The people of St Joseph’s in Edinburgh, have also been tireless in raising thousands of pounds, through bag-packing at the local supermarket, social evenings and donations.

All the fundraising activity around the UK is testament to the huge generosity of the parishioners and their willingness to support the youth, for which we are extremely grateful.