Children's Society - Ray Weller

We have sent the following amounts to the Society for the year 2007:

Our sincere thanks go to all who helped achieve these excellent figures: boxholders, walkers, sponsors, and indeed all at St John's because the church donation comes from the monies you all have paid in during the year. Thanks also to our happy band of helpers who made light work of producing 350 Christingles for the services on Christmas Eve.

We feel confident we can maintain our giving during 2008.

We are delighted to report that the Government has at last responded to pressure from your Society to seriously consider providing a network of safe houses throughout the country for child runaways and those who would otherwise be sleeping rough on the streets. Many of you will remember supporting the petition to the Government last year.

Christian Aid - Christine Bartlett

Christian Aid has made a practical difference to millions of lives around the world. Working with people of every faith and none, they are fighting for a world free of poverty and injustice.

They provide disaster relief, help build long-term development, speak up for the oppressed and campaign for change among the powerful.

At St John's this charity is close to our hearts. The annual Christian Aid week in May which involved members of St John's doing door to door collections and other fund raising events raised £1624.35 and we also sent a cheque to Christian Aid for £1908.80 at the end of the year.

Christian Aid were devastated and saddened to hear about the death of Sandy Clare in the autumn. Sandy had been a loyal and hardworking champion for Christian Aid over many years. She gave a lot of time, commitment and hard work to the charity and it will be hard to replace her.

We have also supported Christian Aid by taking part in their campaigns by emailing and sending postcards pressing the goverment for policy change.