Six foot sheep raises Christian Aid fundraising bah
-19/05/06
Supporters of the UK chu
Six foot sheep raises Christian Aid fundraising bah
-19/05/06
Supporters of the UK churchesí international development agency Christian Aid have found a unique way to publicise Christian Aid Week (the agencyís annual public fundraising bonanza) in the west Yorkshire village of Methley ñ through a bit of woolly thinking.
They decided to build a six foot sheep called Oswald, with the Christian Aid logo on the side, and paraded it around local housing estates.
The group then left it outside St Oswaldís, the village church after which the giant sheep was named, for four hours – so that it could be seen by passing cars.
Methley has a history of using innovative idea to mark Christian Aid Week. In 2003 villagers converted the Methodist Church garden into a Sri Lankan garden complete with textile workers, a tea plantation and a beach.
The desire to raise enough money for a flock of sheep was inspired by the story of Sara Rosel, aged eight and her family who are from Bolivia, who have received chickens and sheep from a Christian Aid partner.
Living in the poorest country in Latin America the family is struggling to survive because cattle ranchers have seized their land.
Their chickens and sheep have reproduced, providing the family with food and money ñ and they have also given some of the new chicks and lambs to another family.
ìWe can eat better and from the money I got selling the sheep I could pay for my sonís school and board,î said Saraís father Malaquia. ìNow we want to give things back so others can benefit.î
Peter Bloodworth, the local Christian Aid representative and creator of Oswald said: ìWeíre creative people in Methley and like to use our imagination to communicate the reality of life for some of those living in the poorest parts of the world.î
Despite the grey weather on Sunday, Oswaldís tour of the community did raise awareness of Christian Aid and its work.
When Mr Bloodworth and the Rev Ruth Crompton, local Methodist minister, visited Methley infant and junior schools on Monday morning dozens of children said that they had spotted Oswald the previous day.
Christians in Methley also gathered for a joint service on Sunday morning, using Christian Aidís service materials.
They listened to a talk by Alex Jones, youth co-ordinator for Christian Aid in Leeds. ìWe were impressed with all the stories we heard about Christian Aidís work in South Africa, Kenya and Ethiopia,î said Mr Bloodworth.
Six foot sheep raises Christian Aid fundraising bah
-19/05/06
Supporters of the UK churchesí international development agency Christian Aid have found a unique way to publicise Christian Aid Week (the agencyís annual public fundraising bonanza) in the west Yorkshire village of Methley ñ through a bit of woolly thinking.
They decided to build a six foot sheep called Oswald, with the Christian Aid logo on the side, and paraded it around local housing estates.
The group then left it outside St Oswaldís, the village church after which the giant sheep was named, for four hours – so that it could be seen by passing cars.
Methley has a history of using innovative idea to mark Christian Aid Week. In 2003 villagers converted the Methodist Church garden into a Sri Lankan garden complete with textile workers, a tea plantation and a beach.
The desire to raise enough money for a flock of sheep was inspired by the story of Sara Rosel, aged eight and her family who are from Bolivia, who have received chickens and sheep from a Christian Aid partner.
Living in the poorest country in Latin America the family is struggling to survive because cattle ranchers have seized their land.
Their chickens and sheep have reproduced, providing the family with food and money ñ and they have also given some of the new chicks and lambs to another family.
ìWe can eat better and from the money I got selling the sheep I could pay for my sonís school and board,î said Saraís father Malaquia. ìNow we want to give things back so others can benefit.î
Peter Bloodworth, the local Christian Aid representative and creator of Oswald said: ìWeíre creative people in Methley and like to use our imagination to communicate the reality of life for some of those living in the poorest parts of the world.î
Despite the grey weather on Sunday, Oswaldís tour of the community did raise awareness of Christian Aid and its work.
When Mr Bloodworth and the Rev Ruth Crompton, local Methodist minister, visited Methley infant and junior schools on Monday morning dozens of children said that they had spotted Oswald the previous day.
Christians in Methley also gathered for a joint service on Sunday morning, using Christian Aidís service materials.
They listened to a talk by Alex Jones, youth co-ordinator for Christian Aid in Leeds. ìWe were impressed with all the stories we heard about Christian Aidís work in South Africa, Kenya and Ethiopia,î said Mr Bloodworth.