Have a Tea Break for Charity!

In hard pressed economic times charities can be the first to suffer the effects of general belt-tightening.  Perhaps this is not quite so true of christian charities as of others.  We certainly had good support back in July when we donated a proportion of sales to Caring for Life.  Also at the moment we are seeing great interest in the charity cards within our Christmas card range (proceeds to the Savannah Education Trust this year).  However non-christian charities do not often retain the loyalty of the public to the same degree, and so are going to be under tremendous pressure - in fact fighting each other for 'market share' in people's giving.  This is a tragic reality.  Perhaps I am going to make a bad thing worse, but I will be fundraising for the sake of an unsung cause next Friday (21st October).  Epilepsy Action have designated this day as 'National Tea Break' - have a cuppa, a chat and give what you can.  They are the UK's largest epilepsy charity, but you may well not have heard of it, because epilepsy doesn't receive the same attention as most other medical problems.  But although it isn't some killer disease, it is a life changing condition.  I know because I have it.  God has wonderfully overruled it for good in my life, but it is and has been a great trial to me and my family.  Statistics are that 1 in every 103 people in the UK have some form of epilepsy.  Now, many mysteries remain in the understanding of it medically, so more money for brain research is required.  But equally, basic things like enabling sufferers to cope, training specialist 'Sapphire' nurses, and greater public awareness are all needed as well.  Epilepsy Action's current campaign is about educating people as to what to do to help in the event of coming across someone having a seizure.  So I will be in my workplace on the day next week, making tea for all who come in the bookshop to donate.  Lorna is providing cakes - an even bigger draw I'm sure!  In addition, 10% of the day's takings will be given to Epilepsy Action, and this includes mail order.  So prepare your wants lists, contact us, and support a worthy cause at the same time.  And if I can find such a thing as a virtual cup of tea, I'll happily pour you one!

Jeremy

July is Charity Month

It's nearly July so I think it is worth mentioning that for the first time we will be running a Charity Month.   For the month of July we are pledging to give 50p to our chosen charity for every book sold.  The charity we have picked is local to us and one we have mentioned in previous blog posts (see here).  Caring for Life is a charity that works really hard with some of the most shunned in society and they all seem to have a lot of fun in the process.  Take a look at their website and then take a look at ours to decide what book to buy so that you can support them too.  Better still, if you're on holiday in the area during July, buy a book for your holiday reading then pop up to Caring for Life for your lunch - you won't regret the experience! For those not on holiday but having to work their socks off in local offices we will be staying open late every Thursday during the charity month... just for you!
The essential details:

For every book sold, 50p goes to Caring for Life

Late night opening every Thursday until 8pm

I'm hoping our Charity Month will become a regular event so anyone who would like us to consider their favourite charity for our next one please let us know.

Lorna

Caring for Life continues

We spent our day off yesterday up at the Caring for Life farm in North Leeds. For those not in the know, Caring for Life is a charity that does an amazing work amongst the most deprived people of Leeds. Their motto is 'Sharing the Love of Jesus' and they do this by literally 'Caring for Life', each person that comes under their wing becomes part of the family. They house people, support people in their own homes and give each person an occupation, a reason for living, by involving them in activities on the farm and the many projects involved. I mentioned them in a post last year when the story of their work was published but I mention them again really to recommend a visit to the farm by anyone who is local or holidaying in the area. They have just this weekend launched their new 'Granary Cafe' and Farm Shop as a venture to help support their ministry. We enjoyed a light lunch in the cafe (freshly baked bread, veg,fruit and herbs from the farm gardens) shopped in the Farm Shop and spent an afternoon enjoying the Sensory Garden, the sensory pond and a walk down into the valley where a lot of work has been done on the Care in Creation conservation project. A highlight for the boys was seeing a calf just born to one of the herd of Old English Long Horn Cattle - the first of the season. Along with the Cafe and Shop the new Adult Learning Centre and also a People and Animals Meeting Building have been opened, both of which are to further the activities of the Charity with the people they care for.
This farm is a lovely place to visit and this Charity is well worth supporting.
Lorna

Caring for Life

What an incredible story 'The Deafening Sound of Silent Tears' tells. It is the story of Caring for Life and the work that they do among the homeless in Leeds. This book was lent to me by one of our regular customers but I intend to get it on our shelves asap. Caring for Life is a very practical Christian charity - no aggressive evangelism accompanies its work, but loving, practical support - for life. The people they help have often experienced years of unimaginable abuse and hardship, many of them with learning difficulties or mental health problems. The charity works to re-house them, teach daily living skills, provide therapeutic activities and in some cases jobs on the farm which is at the centre of the charity's work. Each person becomes a part of the Caring for Life 'family' and therefore experiences through example, the desire of every Christian to 'Love one another, as I have loved you'.
They hold regular open days at the farm, so for anyone local, I would recommend going along - I certainly intend to.
Lorna
(check out http://www.caringforlife.co.uk/)