FEED THE HUNGRY

For many years there has been a 'Feed the Hungry' box at St Dunstan's Church and financial assistance has been given to many 'direct link' projects. This year the parish was able to help various charities including the Walsingham based Charity 'Let the Children Live' - assisting Fr Peter Walters' work among the street childen of Columbia (See Links)

Update - January 2010 - Another £1290 has been sent to Casa Walsingam

A MESSAGE FROM FR PETER WALTERS IN COLOMBIA...

Dear Fr Michael,

We are very grateful for you parish's generosity and this donation will certainly be a tremendous help - please pass on our warmest thanks to all your people.Fortunately, there has been a very positive response to the difficulties caused by the fall in the value of the pound, and this has meant that we have been able to reprieve 2 of the 9 employees whom we were going to have to make redundant, and to resume our services for 50 of the 250 children whom we had been forced to abandon. At one stage we had to close Casa Walsingham, our centre, for three weeks and during that period the children who usually eat there had to fend for themselves. In some case this meant a return to crime or prostitution. Tragically, for one girl the consequences of this were fatal: she was raped, tortured and murdered. Her body was found in the river. We are the institution of last resort, and when the safety-net that we provide is withdrawn, anything can happen to the children who rely on it. We are therefore very concerned about the impact that the recession may have on our income next year. As the big charities that have the money to advertise feel the pinch, their campaigns will make life even more difficult for small charities like ours; and no doubt the focus of the British media will remain on the problems of Africa and Asia, whilst those of Colombia will still be largely overlooked. The continued support of parishes like yours will therefore be more vital than ever, so please make your people aware of this. Many thanks and every blessing.

Fr Peter Walters.