GENEROUS worshippers from our diocese raised nearly £23,000 to help local people crippled by debt and poverty.

Bishop Christopher with people who have been helped by Christians Against Poverty - Zeta Bishop from the Isle of Wight and Gary Miles from Gosport

Our congregations raised the cash as part of this year’s Bishop’s Lent Appeal. It will be split between branches of the charity Christians Against Poverty in this area and local Foodbanks.

The cash was raised through individual donations and fundraising events held in churches, during and after the season of Lent. It’s the third year in a row that the total amount raised in the appeal has increased.

Bishop Christopher, who chooses two good causes each year to raise money for, said: “I am, as always, staggered by the generosity of so many in our congregations who have given to help those who have little.
 
“The Christian faith is often seen at its most counter-cultural when it comes to money, and I’m gratified that those in our diocese have shown that in this year’s Lent Appeal.

“These projects help those who at their lowest ebb, often those who live just round the corner from our homes and churches. Those people, who may be experiencing real long-term poverty, who may be entangled in serious debt, or who may just need some temporary support to get them back on track, will be grateful for this support.”

Just over £11,500 was given to the three Christians Against Poverty (CAP) centres in Southsea, Gosport and the Isle of Wight. These centres offer free financial support and advice to those struggling with debt.

Among those living locally who have been helped by CAP are Gary Miles and his partner Chris Fry, from Gosport. When they got into serious debt, they ended up selling jewellery and other valuables so they could afford to buy food. They tried an online firm that promised to help them deal with their debts, but it charged so much in fees that little of their actual debt was being paid off.

It was only when their local CAP centre offered free advice and support that they were able to turn their lives around. A trained debt coach helped them to work out a realistic budget and negotiate affordable payments with each creditor.

Matt Barlow, chief executive of Christians Against Poverty, said he wanted to say a huge thank you to each and every person who gave towards the appeal.

“This money will make a massive difference to the work of Christians Against Poverty in Portsmouth diocese,” he said. “Debt literally destroys families and forces people to make impossible choices, like whether to heat their homes or buy food.

“Our latest research shows that one in three people who come to us are suicidal over their debts, thinking there is no way out. Through our free service, we can offer them real hope and a solution.

“CAP is saving and changing lives, and this money will allow us to expand our services to reach even more people in need of our help.”

The other half of the money from the Bishop’s Lent Appeal was shared between 13 Foodbanks across our diocese which help those at their point of need. Each can offer emergency supplies of food to those who can’t afford the basics.

One of those was Portsmouth Foodbank, which is based at Kings Church in Southsea. Manager and co-ordinator Martin Mant said: “The £550 that we have received from the Bishop’s Lent Appeal will go towards the extensive food needs we have for our clients.  

“Last year we served 7,100 people, which was double the client base we had the year before. This has increased the pressure on our sources of food and storage of the food we need.

“This money will go a long way to easing this pressure, as we serve the poor in the community. Very often the food donated does not cover the need and so some of this money will go towards food.”