Two carloads of warm clothing and winter necessities for people in need in North Ormesby have been collected through the Church of St Francis, Ingleby Barwick, via a link made between two curates in 2014.
When the Revd Lyn Kenny (now Curate of South Cave with Ellerker and Broomfleet) was Curate of Holy Trinity, North Ormesby, and the Revd Catherine Reid (now Vicar of Ampleforth with Oswaldkirk, Gilling East and Stonegrave) was Curate of St Francis, Ingleby Barwick, they teamed up with local volunteer community champion Cheryl Dixon to ask for help with warm clothes and shoes for those in need in North Ormesby, and particulary children from the Primary Academy, many of whom couldn't go to school in winter as they had no waterproof shoes. A group of Ingleby Barwick women clubbed together and bought 61 pairs of shoes for the children, which went in two days.
This year Cheryl, who now holds the British Empire Medal for services to the community, reached out again to Ingleby Barwick. In just two weeks Cheryl and her partner Bob were able to collect two carloads of warm clothing and other items for those in need.
Cheryl is pictured in her front room, overwhelmed by the kindness of those who responded so magnificently.
The Revd Lyn Kenny said, "Although there is no room for anybody to visit Cheryl at the moment she says there soon will be, as she works tirelessly to respond to people suffering from the dire effects of poverty and benefits sanctions.
"A huge thank you to all at St Francis of Assisi in Ingleby Barwick for organising and collecting to spread some Christmas cheer."