Donation, Finsbury Park, Fundraising, registered charity,
A UK-wide initiative by the UCKG HelpCentre succeeded in collecting over 11 tonnes of saleable goods for Oxfam’s central warehouses for final sorting and onward distribution to it’s shops.
The bulk of the goods – 8.8 tonnes – was gathered at UCKG’s headquarters in Finsbury Park, north London and included gifts from many of UCKG’s London branches; but every region helped.
The highest performing branch was Manchester, which gave 70 large boxes of goods. The two Birmingham branches at Lozells and Bullring collected 50 large boxes between them, while Luton and Nottingham branches collected 30 boxes each and Cardiff and Swindon collected 25 large boxes each.
The goods included most of what is stocked in Oxfam shops throughout the UK, comprising men’s, women’s and children’s clothing and shoes; accessories; books; house wares; and bric a brac. They were mainly given by UCKG church members, their families, friends and neighbours.
The collection was prompted by compassion for the plight of people in Haiti, following the catastrophic earthquake in Port au Prince in January. However people in equally dire need in many other parts of the world will also benefit.
“We arranged to support Oxfam through a massive collection operation here in the UK as our own resources in Haiti are quite limited by comparison,” said Bishop Pierre Dessaint, who heads the UCKG HelpCentre, in this country. “Predictably everyone rallied round and we are very pleased with the result.
“Although UCKG, a Pentecostal church, is a registered charity itself, we have supported other UK-based charities ever since we were first established in the UK in 1995. Over the years these have included Barnardo’s, Crisis UK, The National Blood Service and the Blood Pressure Association; and we have been proud to work with AFRUCA, which combats the abuse of African children.
“In this instance we were particularly pleased to be working with Oxfam, given its excellent track record in international emergency aid,” he concluded.
ENDS
Note to editors
UCKG is a Christian church and registered charity that offers a range of practical support activities alongside spiritual support and comfort. It reached the UK in 1995 and has gone from strength to strength, providing support and spreading the Christian faith. There are 36 UCKG HelpCentre branches in England and Wales.
For further information please contact the UCKG HelpCentre Press Officer via e-mail on press@uckgnew.org or call 020 7686 6033
