The Christian faith is about being there for our community: Christ Church Haydock URC rally to help those affected by flooding
Image caption: From left, Neil Fairhurst (secretary, Christ Church URC Haydock), Dean Owen (No Duff UK), and councillor Anthony Burns. Credit BBC News.
Christ Church Haydock URC stepped up to set up a donation point for those affected by flooding in the area this month.
Neil Fairhurst, secretary at Christ Church Haydock URC, told the St Helen’s Star, “We got the call from St Helens Council on New Year's Day to see if we could open the church as a hub and of course we said yes. The Christian faith is about being there for our community and we are happy to be doing just that…“It’s awful that people are going through this but the kindness from others offering help has been good to see.”
The church had constant hot drinks on the go and prepared food parcels which people could collect or have dropped off. They also did a call out for donations of old towels, mops and buckets that could help in the clean-up for the flooding.
The BBC also covered the story.
The major community effort has been praised by the leader of St Helens Council, who has been working at the scene today to help with the clean-up operation.
In a statement on social media, Councillor Anthony Burns, leader of St Helens Council and a Blackbrook Ward councillor, said:
“The community response has been great, as has been the community response coming together.
"Halton and St Helens VCA, St Helens Food Alliance, Christ Church, St Mark's, The Owl's and people on People of St Helens social media - they're coming together like never before to help these people out and the residents want to send their heartfelt thanks - because they are really feeling this and loving the support from the community.”
The full story is here:
Community rally around residents affected by floods | St Helens Star
And on the BBC: Flooding: Greater Manchester, Lancashire and Cheshire clean-up begins - BBC News
For more information follow Christ Church Haydock URC on Facebook or visit their website
Image caption: From left, Neil Fairhurst (secretary, Christ Church URC Haydock), Dean Owen (No Duff UK), and councillor Anthony Burns. Credit BBC News.