Silent Auction works wonders!

The Silent Auction held at Caversham heights Methodist Church for the relief of the people of Haiti raised £1,500 and the church is grateful to all those who donated items for auction and to all who helped to make it such a success.

This brings the final total raised in aid of Haiti at this church to £3,400, which includes Gift Aid, the 5 Shelterboxes (at a cost of £500 apiece) that were sent as quickly as possible, and the remainder which will be channelled through the Methodist Relief and Development Fund that has been at work in Haiti for many years.

For those who didn't see my earlier blog, each Shelterbox includes everything needed to help a family or group of ten people to survive a disaster. The following is lifted from their website and reduced to be more suitable for short items of news.

At the heart of every ShelterBox is a ten-person tent. Every box contains a children’s pack containing drawing books, crayons and pens. In addition to the tent, the boxes contain a range of other survival equipment including thermal blankets and insulated ground sheets, essential in areas where temperatures plummet at nightfall. Where malaria is prevalent mosquito nets are supplied, as well a life saving means of water purification. A basic tool kit containing a hammer, axe, saw, trenching shovel, hoe head, pliers and wire cutters can be found in every box. The box itself is lightweight and waterproof and has been used for a variety of purposes in the past - from water and food storage containers to a cot for a newly born baby.
A key piece in every box is either a wood burning or multi-fuel stove - that can burn anything from diesel to old paint. This provides the heart of the new home where water is boiled, food is cooked and families congregate. In addition, there are pans, utensils, bowls, mugs and water storage containers.

Silent Auction for Haiti

Other churches may like to run something on similar lines as this event which I have just sent for publication in all our local papers and radio stations:-


Haiti Earthquake

Caversham Heights Methodist Church (Corner of Woodcote Rd and Highmoor Rd) in Reading will be holding a “Silent Auction” on Saturday 30th January. You are asked to donate gifts (of any value, new or second hand) that others might like to buy, and bring them to the church on Friday 29th between 7.00 pm and 10.00 pm, or Saturday 30th between 9.00am and 10.00 am. The gifts will be displayed in the church with a bidding paper beside them. From 10 am to 12 noon please come and write down bids for anything that takes your fancy.
At 12.00 noon the highest bidder gets the item.
Any unsold items to be collected by the donor plus items whose optional reserve price has not been reached.
There will be a homemade cake stall and tea and coffee will be served.

All proceeds will go to help bring aid to the people of Haiti.


UPDATE: from the two services at church on Sunday January 17th, £660 was donated which includes £111 of Gift Aid. Since than we have received a further £256 which also includes Gift Aid. A total of almost £930. We have already sent £500 to Shelterbox for box in our name to be sent to Haiti. The box includes everything needed to help a family or group of ten people to survive a disaster. The following is lifted from ther website and reduced to be more suitable for short items of news.

At the heart of every ShelterBox is a ten-person tent. Every box contains a children’s pack containing drawing books, crayons and pens. In addition to the tent, the boxes contain a range of other survival equipment including thermal blankets and insulated ground sheets, essential in areas where temperatures plummet at nightfall. Where malaria is prevalent mosquito nets are supplied, as well a life saving means of water purification. A basic tool kit containing a hammer, axe, saw, trenching shovel, hoe head, pliers and wire cutters can be found in every box. The box itself is lightweight and waterproof and has been used for a variety of purposes in the past - from water and food storage containers to a cot for a newly born baby.
A key piece in every box is either a wood burning or multi-fuel stove - that can burn anything from diesel to old paint. This provides the heart of the new home where water is boiled, food is cooked and families congregate. In addition, there are pans, utensils, bowls, mugs and water storage containers. Each box costs £490 to equip and ship.