Lord Mayor of Birmingham’s Lent Appeal
Wednesday March 1st – Thursday April 13th 2017
Lord Mayor Cllr Carl Rice
Lord Mayor Cllr Carl Rice is asking Brummies to help raise money for charitable organisations which provide shelter, food and support to rough sleepers and the homeless.
Lord Mayor Cllr Carl Rice said: “Sadly, rough sleeping and homelessness are on the rise both here in Birmingham and nationally. Birmingham City Council works with charities and volunteers across the city to help rough sleepers get back on their feet - these services really do give hope and they change lives.
“This year, I’m asking people to give the money they save through giving up things for Lent to my Lent Appeal. All the money raised will be distributed to charities through the Birmingham Community Action Trust, based at Birmingham Voluntary Service Council. Although Lent is a Christian festival, this is something people of all faiths, and those without faith too, can get behind to help people who are sleeping rough.”
Anyone wishing to make a donation can do so by visiting - http://campaign.justgiving.com/campaigns/charity/lordmayorbirmingham/lentappeal
Archbishop of Birmingham Bernard Longley said: “Our fasting purifies the intentions of our hearts and enables us to see more clearly our dependence on God and our responsibilities towards God and our neighbour. Our almsgiving should come from a generous heart prompted by the teaching of Jesus himself so that our faith becomes fruitful in good works. I welcome the Lord Mayor’s Lent appeal as a good way to support our neighbours during this period of reflection.”
Bishop of Birmingham David Urquhart said: “The increase in homelessness is of deep concern to people in Birmingham – as demonstrated by the St Basil’s Sleepout in November, where over 600 slept in the grounds of the Cathedral in solidarity with homeless young people. For Christians, Lent is a time to both reflect on and respond to the sacrifice Jesus made for humanity. People can choose to celebrate Lent by giving, instead of - or as well as - giving something up, so I welcome the Lord Mayor’s Lent appeal as a way of bringing people together to end homelessness.”
-ends-
Notes to editors -
Lent is a festival in which many Christians commit to fasting or giving up certain types of luxuries as a form of penance and other faiths have similar festivals too. It is not uncommon for those who are participating to set aside the money they would have spent on luxuries so they can donate the final total to a good cause.
BVSC has been supporting local community and voluntary action in Birmingham for over 100 years.
