An incredible year

For the last year St Mary Magdalen Church in Tilehurst have been fundraising for Joshua. Having organised a range of events from Organ Recitals, to Fish and Chip Suppers and Charity Cards Sales we are delighted to announce that they have raised a total of £1,628.60 to support our life changing work with HIV/AIDS orphans and vulnerable children in Malawi.

Over the last year it has been a delight getting to know the congregation and clergy at the church who have welcomed us with opened arms and gratefully received cups of tea. At every meeting they have been keen to learn more about our work and we were especially touched when they held a special collection to raise funds for the victims of Malawi's recent flooding.

A special thank you must go to Peter and Mair Mayers, who instigated this year of fundraising for Joshua and have put endless energy and enthusiasm behind making every Pasta Party and Coffee Morning a success. Not to mention Peter tackling the Heroes Run for us last May. Peter volunteered in Malawi with Leighton Park School in 2012 and saw first-hand the difference our projects have on some of the poorest people living in Malawi. The people he met and the experience has stayed in his heart since then and we are delighted to have such a dedicated supporter and fundraiser championing our cause.

A huge THANK YOU to everyone who has donated time, effort and money to making this year of fundraising such a huge success.

If you are a church and would be interested in having one of the Joshua trustees come and talk to you about our work please get in touch with Heather Deaville on heather@joshuainmalawi.org.uk

Charity Christmas Sale and Coffee Morning

Joshua Trustee Sarah Charlton and I were delighted to be a part of the Charity Christmas Sale and Coffee Morning at St Mary Magdalen church in Tilehurst a few weeks ago. As well as Joshua, there were stalls from; Tearfund, Fairtrade, RNIB, RSPB, Cats Protection League, Mothers Union and the Children’s Society. Over £500 was exchanged between shoppers and stalls, and a great morning was had by all. 

Sarah and I were particularly addicted to the array of homemade biscuits and cakes which were on offer and it was a delight to meet so many of the people who have been supporting Joshua over the last year. This small but friendly church have now raised over £1,000 for Joshua, which will help some of the most impoverished children in Malawi have better lives.

Why not put the date in your diary now for next year’s event - October 17 2015! Of course, this may change nearer the time by a week or two.

Church Champions Joshua

This year we are delighted to be being supported by the congregation and clergy at St Mary Magdalen church in Tilehurst. From Lent until Candlemas they are donation all the money they raise from their fundraising activities (and more) to Joshua.

Last Sunday, Andy Deaville was invited to the church where he was honoured to be given the usual sermon slot to talk about our work and how the church's support will help the vulnerable communities we work with in Malawi. Andy is pictured above presenting the church with a special thank you to the Revd. Peter Grosse.

Andy received an incredibly warm welcome, including lots of tea and cake (and pasta), and we are thrilled to announce that so far, the churches efforts, including a Pasta Party, Lent Donation's and a brave Heroes Runner in the shape of Peter Mayers (pictured), have raised over £900.

We would like to thank everyone at the church for their support in making all of these events so successful and we look forward to keeping you up to date throughout the year with their fantastic fundraising efforts.

If you would like to find out how you can fundraise for Joshua, just click here.