Gift Day 2024

Each year we have a Gift Day, which is an opportunity to support ministry and mission beyond our church. In 2024 we focused on one local charity and two international charities, raising a wonderful total of just over £46,000 which was split evenly between them:

	Karis Kids - Karis Kids is an initiative, founded in January 2007, between the Church of Uganda and a group of UK churches with the vision of bringing family and a future to vulnerable children and those orphaned by AIDS. Rather than leave these children without the necessities we often take for granted - such as food, medical care and education - they support adoptive families so that together they can break out of poverty. We are one of four churches partnered with them and our link church since 2009 is St Peter's Wandegaya, Kampala. The money raised from this Gift Day will go towards two things: the upcoming summer camp which is a wonderful opportunity to share the gospel with the children and young people who attend and further education which is the long-term plan to help families out of poverty.
	Open Doors - Open Doors originated in 1955, when a young Dutchman started smuggling Bibles to the persecuted church in Communist Europe. He became known as Brother Andrew, and his work led to more than six decades of support for the persecuted church. In more than 70 countries, Open Doors supports millions who risk their lives to follow Jesus by supplying Bibles, providing emergency relief and helping persecuted believers stand strong for the long term. In the UK and Ireland, Open Doors helps the church to pray, give and speak out for those who share our faith but not our freedom. The money raised from Gift Day this year will go towards See. Change. Open Doors’ campaign to help persecuted Christian women and girls, who are particularly at risk because of their faith and their gender.
	Riverbank Trust - Riverbank delivers hope in the community by equipping vulnerable single mums of all faiths and none through long-term emotional and practical support in partnership with the church community.  It believes that 'no one should have to journey through life alone.’ Following the success of Riverbank Ham and Whitton it has employed a Community Outreach Worker in Hampton Wick, offering 1-1 support, a new community group and partnering with local schools to support families. The money raised by Gift Day this year will go towards supporting this work along with the growth of Riverbank throughout the borough.