Annual Appeal for Others

Support across the Seas

St Andrew’s is committed to sharing the love of God, not just locally but internationally and seeks to follow the calling of Jesus to offer good news to the poor. One focus of this is an annual ‘financial appeal’ for others, the proceeds of which are distributed between three organisations promoting development work overseas. St Andrew’s has close links with each charity, with church members involved in different ways, which gives us an insight into the needs and work as well as confidence that our gifts are used very well.

Sylvia Wright Trust – visit website

Silvia Wright Trust - Kid's PlayingSylvia Wright TrustBack in the 1970s Leeds nurse felt a calling to ‘sell up’, ‘up-sticks’ and move to India to serve the people of the Tiruvannamalai region. From humble beginnings with few resources Sylvia has worked, supported by a Leeds-based management and fundraising Board, to develop what is now a significant hospital and education facility:

  • Hospital with 250 beds for in-patients
  • Outpatient clinics treating 7,000 patients every month
  • A support scheme for 70 handicapped children
  • A residential school for 230 profoundly deaf children & vocational training centre
  • A vocational training centre for deaf school leavers

St Andrew’s supports the trust though our annual appeal and is the Trust’s largest single church donor. The Sylvia Wright Board includes two St Andrew’s members.

Kenyan Orphanage Sponsorship Trust (KOST) – visit website

Trustee Gill Waterhouse with some KOST children

The Kenyan Orphan Sponsorship Trust (KOST) is a small, Leeds based charity supporting orphaned and abandoned children in Kenya. The charity was established in 1995 by the Reverend Mabel Parris and works in the Homa Bay area in western Kenya caring for a total of some 80 children. KOST aims to provide shelter, food, health-care and education in a supportive and caring environment.

Many of the orphans have lost parents to HIV/AIDS which continues to devastate the young adult community across many parts of Africa. The care of KOST helps many vulnerable children begin again emotionally and through the provision of skills for life. The contribution of St Andrew’s makes a real difference to the work that can be done. KOST has a Leeds based Board whose Chair is also a member of St Andrew’s.

Commitment for Life – visit website

The United Reformed Church launched the national Commitment for Life Programme to:

  • Campaign for a fairer world
  • Work for Peace with Justice
  • Seek to be God’s people
  • Announce Good News to the poor
  • Recogise that change starts with us

Cfl Works through partner organisations in four countries:

  • Zimbabwe
  • Palestine
  • Jamaica
  • Bangladesh

St Andrew’s has Palestine as our prayer partner.