This weekend there is a special collection for ‘Serving the Homeless’, our local ecumenical homelessness charity. Our Church was one of the founder members of this charity and you, as a parish, and as individuals, have supported us very generously over the last 20 years. We would particularly like to thank all those who helped us over the Christmas period to exceed our targets for financing Christmas dinners and presents for clients of HARP at the Day and Night shelters and housing projects in Southend.

In March there will be the official opening of HARP’s new Bradbury Centre in York Road which will provide co-ordinated Day and Night services as well as education and training to help clients break out of the cycle of poverty and homelessness. Serving the Homeless has been a significant donor to this project over the last 3 years.

We continue to rely on your generosity, to help us to support the work of HARP and Southend YMCA, who are supporting the youngest and most vulnerable members of our society. Our aim is not just to feed and shelter the homeless, although that is the vital first step, but to support those projects and initiatives that help people to turn their lives around.

Once again the Committee would like to thank all of you for your prayers and support.

Jo Ronan (Chairwoman, Serving the Homeless)