10,000 Lives Blessed
Acts 435, the Archbishop of York’s online giving charity, today announced that it has helped its 10,000th person in need.
The Archbishop of York, Dr. John Sentamu, said: “What Acts 435 is achieving is wonderful – imagine how much more could be done if we had 1,000 churches involved, not just 250. It works and it is easy to use. Donors are responding. Churches – let’s seize the moment and use Acts 435 to contribute to the common good.”
Acts 435 is an online website which allows people to give money directly to others. Managed through a network of churches and local charities, it is designed to get 100% of donations quickly to those in need. Donors choose who to give their money to and then Church advocates post ‘thank you’ messages from the individual applicant who has been helped. This charity is fully self-sustaining with Gift Aid covering total administration costs.
One volunteer advocate, who works with Safe Families for Children, has recently used Acts 435 to help different families by providing money for a cot mattress, a carpet, and funds to travel to hospital. The advocate said: “This is the first time we have made requests using Acts 435 and we are absolutely delighted at how simple it is to use and how effective it has been. Each donation has made a huge difference to the families and has supported our work with them.”
Jenny Herrera, Acts 435 Executive Director said: “It took 5 years to grant our 5,000th gift. The fact that we have reached 10,000 only two years later shows the way donors are responding to this cost-effective way of meeting real, specific needs of people living in poverty in the UK. It also shows how churches and charities have linked in with Acts 435 to bring support and blessing to people in their local communities.”
For more information about Acts 435, please visit: http://acts435.org.uk/
For media enquiries, please contact Elizabeth Addy at tel. 01904 772365 or email: Elizabeth.addy@archbishopofyork.org