The good news is that now we have now raised £16,000 to build and equip the Skills & Training Centre in Kacema Musuma, Chingola, Zambia. We have already been able to send £11,000 to the Sisters of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary, and we should be able to send them the outstanding amounts by Christmas 2006.

A huge thank you to everyone in the parish for supporting so generously all the fund-raising activities that have taken place this year, and we would especially like to thank the children of the parish, who have so enthusiastically supported the Smarties’ Challenge over the summer holidays and our Christmas card competition.

Here is a very brief résumé of all the fund-raising events to date:

Collection during Lenten retreat - £52.50
Easter cake bake -£45.50
Spot collection during May Social Quiz - £103.20
Auction of Promises-June – £2,190.10
Smarties’ Challenge & collecting spare change – summer – £505.90
Sponsoring bricks, roof-tiles, windows, doors – £4,247 (inc. Gift Aid)
Donations and tax refunds - £5,331.40
Children’s Christmas card competition – 3,000 cards produced – £900
Opera for Africa - £1,625.46
Salsa supper – £958