NEWS

The Appeal to raise funds to build a PARISH CENTRE was launched just over a year ago. The amount raised to date now stands at over £870,000 so we are well on the way. Week by week contributions are still arriving, with a wide range of gifts, all of which are very welcome. We would really like to see that figure continue to rise as quickly as we can so that we can begin building.

THE NEXT PHASE OF FUND-RAISING

The diagram below shows that we have raised over £870,000. The next phase is to increase that amount by another £30,000 in the next two months. This will allow us to let the contract and to start building. During the construction period we will continue to fund-raise towards the total needed, knowing that the full amount will not be required until late 2007. Furthermore we have assets as a ‘fall-back’, against which we can cover the balance if necessary.

Getting closer to the target, with donations still coming in week by week, has created a real feeling of enthusiasm in the congregation, in the many user groups and in the wider community. There is a real sense that we are closer than we have ever been and July is still the target date we are working towards.

total raised £870,000

THE VICAR’S CHALLENGE:

In the next two months we are aiming to raise at least enough to take us to £900,000 so that we can go out to tender, let the contract and begin building. We have now over £856,000. I want us to reach that target and I know many other people do also. We as a family gave as the Appeal was launched, as generously as we could, for I cannot ask anyone to do what I would not do myself. But now I giving again to help reach the target. I am giving a further £500 and I ask others to follow. If you have not yet given and are still thinking about doing so, then please meet this challenge and match this. If you have already given please think about a further gift to meet this challenge. With this figure gift-aided it needs fewer than 45 people to join me in this challenge by offering the same amount in order to bridge the gap between what we have and what we need to begin building. Or, of course, it needs just 4 or 5 people giving £5,000 – each of us can give according to our circumstances, from £10 to £10,000.

Will you join me in this challenge and help make this happen?

For further details on how to make a donation, please contact the Appeals Secretary David Manning

Please see the June issue of

The Bowdon Church News

for full details

SEE OVER THE PAGE FOR DETAILS OF FORTHCOMING FUND-RAISING EVENTS

GRANT FUNDING

We are grateful to the Garfield Weston Foundation which has made a grant of £20,000 towards the project.

RISK-FREE GIVING

You may be considering giving but feel unsure as to whether this project is really going to happen. One way of giving is to make your donation conditional on the Parish Centre being built. This is in fact what the Laing Trust has done. We know that their funds will be released as soon as the Trust has confirmation that building has begun and that the project will become a reality.

To find out more about making a donation to the Appeal please contact the Appeals Secretary David Manning on 928 1472.

FUND-RAISING EVENTS COMING UP

BRIDGE LUNCHES A two-day Bridge event is to be held from 12.00 on Wed 14 and Thu 15 June at the home of John and Kaye Gardner: tickets £10 per person to include a two-course lunch followed by an afternoon of bridge.

To book your place ring Kaye Gardner on 928 1158

A SUMMER SOIRĒE :

SATURDAY 1 JULY AT 7 pm

MUSIC, ENTERTAINMENT AND A SUPPER

IN THE VICARAGE GARDEN

On that evening we shall be drawing the winners for the GRAND PRIZE DRAW. Prizes include an iPod, tickets to the RHS Tatton Show, garden hammock, and many more. Draw tickets are now available. If you can sell a few books of tickets, please contact Alexia Hine on 928 2468 or alexiahine@hotmail.com, or at least buy some tickets and support the Appeal. Lots of good prizes … and it could be you!

Tickets £12.50 (children £5) from Alexia Hine

on 928 2468

It is your donation which will make a real difference over the next few months.

A PAINTING OF YOUR HOUSE AND GARDEN Local artist Prue Wallis Myers will undertake commissions to paint a picture of your house. Hang the original in your home, arrange for copies to be made into postcards. The cost is between £50 and £100, to be made as a donation to the Building for Bowdon Parish Centre Appeal. For further details contact Prue on 928 1926

THREE PEAKS CHALLENGE

Sue Sharples, the 4^th Bowdon Group Scout Leader, and Stephen Elder, a young member of St Mary’s, will be tackling this challenge this month - climbing our three highest peaks (Ben Nevis, Scafell and Snowdon) within a period of 24 hours - so some brisk walking and driving are required! You are welcome to sponsor either or both of them. There is a sponsorship sheet at the back of church, or you can contact Sue on 941 1398 and Stephen on 941 5986

YOUR FAVOURITE HYMN OR ORGAN PIECE

You can sponsor St Mary’s Choir to sing a favourite hymn or anthem at a service, or sponsor Robin the organist to play a piece for you. It just needs to be suitable for a service and within the Choir’s wide repertoire – they are very wersatile.

All you have to do is speak to Sasha Johnson Manning or Robin Coulthard after a service or contact them on 929 1207 or 941 2710 respectively. All we ask then is that you make an offering (gift-aided if possible) to Bowdon PCC (Building Appeal) This could be a lovely way of marking an anniversary of some kind or any special occasion.

THE TARGET … TO RAISE £30,000

IN THE NEXT TWO MONTHS

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