The Festivals of Light event – which is supported by the diocese – is still going ahead this year with some major changes.
Lesley Hillary, Inter-Faith and Ethnic Relations Adviser, and a member of Newcastle Council of Faiths, writes: “We hope to be able to bring some light to 80 families and over 150 children who are either asylum seekers, refugees or destitute families.
“We intend to deliver to each family a gift of chocolates, a goodie bag containing arts and crafts, including cards from the major faiths depicting their festival of lights and a selection box for each child.
“We have a sponsor who is paying for take away food for each family, we are so very grateful for his generosity and The Bahr Academy have offered to make the food for the families.
“We have had enquiries from other charities to ask if we can help them, as more than ever families are finding themselves pushed further into poverty. Unfortunately, we are unable to meet the demand for help at this time.
“In past years many of you have been so generous, buying toys for the children, hats and gloves and donating items for the free raffle we always held. This year I am writing to ask you if you could possibly make a cash donation to help us with this initiative.”
If you can offer a cash donation, please send a cheque made out to Newcastle Diocesan Board of Finance (and mark the cheque Festivals of Light), Church House, St. John’s Terrace, North Shields NE26 6HS. Church House will administer any money donated for this initiative.