Anglican Communion News Service - Digest News

From the Office of the Archbishop of York

The Archbishop of York’s online charity www.Acts435.org.uk  today (Tuesday 12 July 2011) celebrates the anniversary of its national launch.

Before the national launch at Synod on 12 July 2010, Acts 435 had been running as a pilot project across Yorkshire and the North East providing practical help to those in need. Following the success it had seen locally, Acts 435 decided to roll the scheme out to the rest of the country.

To the end of May this year, £22,000 has been given directly to provide practical support to families facing real economic hardship. Around 524 people have received assistance.

The charity is now looking to branch out across the South of England and is setting up new projects with churches in London, including Holy Trinity Brompton, one of the biggest churches in the UK.

The Archbishop said:

“Acts 435 has made a wonderful difference to people’s lives and it continues to help those in need.

“You may think that during an economic downturn that people would be less likely to give money to those suffering, but our experience has been the opposite. Day by day we have seen new opportunities arising and more and more people willing to give help to others.

“We need to recognise that a very small amount of money can be a real life saver – and help to show that people do care about taking practical steps to tackling poverty.

“We know that we need to do more to tackle poverty across the whole country and for that reason we are encouraging more and more churches to participate as advocates. Whilst need exists we should not give up trying to help.”

For more information on Acts 435 please visit www.Acts435.org.uk or call 01904 772385.