Plea for churches to help warm blanket appeal
Many of our churches across the Diocese work with other partners to help alleviate the cost-of-living crisis and protect the most vulnerable. The charity Befriended is asking our churches to support an initiative to help people in Mid-Sussex
Bishop Ruth is Patron of a charity called Befriended. Gail Millar is the founder and Chief executive of the charity and a member of the Point Church, Burgess Hill. She said: “The charity cares for lonely and isolated elderly people in Mid Sussex and offers various services including one to one friendship, bereavement support, exercise classes and acts of kindness.
In response to the cost-of-living crisis we want to make a difference showing we care about our older people during these winter months. We do not want to have any older person within our community to suffer or die of being cold. Our warm cosy thermal blankets wrapped around them will keep them warm and snuggly as well as remind them that they are loved. With the blankets we will be sending out energy saving tips and advice.
“Our vision is to give away over 1000 blankets via local churches, to vulnerable older people during the coming winter months.
“We also want to invite local churches to join with us in raising funds to buy more blankets to give away. For example, The Point Church is giving its Christmas appeal to Befriended Blankets. Will you consider having a Christmas appeal for Befriended Blankets that your church could then give away in your community.
“God is good, and we give thanks to him for all he is doing in and through Befriended. We are making a difference and fulfilling Gods vision.
If you or your church would like to know more about getting involved with the Befriended Warm Blanket initiative, please contact Gail office@befriended.org or look on our website www.befriended.org for more details
You can watch the video here https://youtu.be/kEkVdgeRxTY
You can find out about the Warm Welcome initiative and how you could get involved and sign up for your church. Warm Welcome is a mission to support organisations to open their doors and provide a warm welcome for those struggling to heat their homes this winter.Take a look at the website here and get free resources and register your church.
For further resources to help communities this winter please take a look at the guidance on our website page which will signpost people to helpful advice here