I have been working as a missionary doing youth and children’s work in Cornwall, reaching out into the communities of Lostwithiel, Fowey, Par and St Blazey. Cornwall from the outside is seen as a beautiful affluent area enjoyed by the country as a favoured tourist attraction. The truth is different. It is one of the 10 poorest regions in Europe with Par/St Blazey listed as the second poorest area in Cornwall.
15,100 children (under 16) live in poverty, 22.8% of households are in fuel poverty and more than 30,000 people are on health related benefits.
Last year police reported that a project to feed young people during school holidays resulted in a reduced crime rate. Young people sometimes only eat a single meal a day. Food poverty is on the increase, mental health issues are rising.
(This data was supplied by Eurostat)
More than ever these communities need Jesus. We are currently working with Fowey River Academy to put together a project to erect a polytunnel and teach young people to grow crops that can be used to build a veg box scheme. Those that can afford it will pay for a box, those that can’t will be given a box with free. Young people will be encourage to create recipes to go into the boxes and people will be taught how to cook with the food they receive.
I am also working with a local housing company to build a community garden and use this to feed local people. Jesus met people’s needs in a physical way as well as a spiritual. Our hope is to grow this into an outdoor service meeting where we grow.
We are therefore asking friends and family if you will consider supporting us. We are working in partnership with Stewardship who will be handling the collection of funds and also paying them to us.
I have worked out that we need 36 people giving us £10 a month. Can you help please?
Supporters who want to give to us should first open a Giving Account here. You will then need to email giving@stewardship.org.uk with the following information so
that they can add your account to our favourite recipients list, which will allow you to set up your giving online:
Your name
Your Stewardship Recipient Account number
Confirmation that you are not a close relative of mine, or a close relative of Anna