We are delighted to have been awarded third place in a photo competition that was run by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/CheshireCommunityFoundation?__cft__[0]=AZVUTZtD57KXtbSzS7uZJvDKinGRptAbjy6ulFd9sfQauA3DBjG_sfZ3YCTgOeiMDP8NxTftncc5-8FwJDfboi_HOaYitCYiwI8UvQSf4cY58U2kMtifmhApT2dy30WgrfhlK6C8o2nD5fICKEtIPB8J-0f0cS6A898ZNpvG_TzFYJi_6C4-_3V8HD7TECY5ds845xPbUkoVP1A1GNxB85M2Ayur83aMI76xLzTY_srzG-rfjjg8J9UoOnvZ1sg4tDw&__tn__=-]K-R">Cheshire Community Foundation</a> The following text accompanied the photo that was entered into the competition by Church Warden, Gordon Atkinson."In third place was St Helen’s Church, Northwich, with a photograph depicting their regular Thursday Place of Welcome, a project funded by a Cheshire Community Foundation small grant. It’s an open drop-in for local people to have a hot drink and <a></a>meet others, with a simple lunch made and served by volunteers. The session was started with the expectation of a modest 10 attendees. Word spread, and there were often over 40 or 50 local people arriving at the church, finding a warm welcome and an opportunity to make friends. Many attendees also offered to volunteer and a community grew. Loneliness and isolation continue to threaten the health of our communities, particularly older people, and it is groups like these which can provide a lifeline."
The excellent sum of £793.35 was raised through donations during January, February and March for Mid Cheshire Samaritans at St Helen's 4 Cs - Coffee, Cake, Company and Conversation. The cheque was handed over to Anne and Gloria from Mid Cheshire Samaritans. Thank you to everyone for the donations and to Lesley, Paul, Dot and Anne for hosting the event every Saturday morning.St. Helen's 4Cs takes place every Saturday morning between 10.00am and 12noon. The church is open and refreshments are served for a donation. All the monet raised is for charity.
<i>Colleen Rowley-Smith from MIND is presented with a cheque for £785 by Reverend Andrew Ridley. The money was donated during September, October and November by visitors to the weekly Saturday 4C's and the two Tea at the Tower events in September and October. St. Helen's Church is open every Saturday morning between 10.00am and 12 noon for Coffee, Cake, Company and a Chat. There is no charge for the refreshments but donations are collected for the charity of the season. Visitors have been very generous during the autumn and we were delighted to hand over the cheque to suppot the work of MIND.</i>