Doncaster multibank seeing increased need this Christmas The ‘Given Freely, Freely Given’ project provides food, clothing and household items to people in Doncaster A multibank helping to meet the needs of people in the Diocese of Sheffield says it’s anticipating a significant increase in demand this Christmas. ‘Given Freely, Freely Given’ first opened in March 2015 but has expanded its services since the pandemic. It operates out of St John’s Balby, with the aim of improving people’s access to basic necessities, reducing isolation and boosting wellbeing. Father Chris Bishop is the Assistant Curate for St Peter Warmsworth: “The parish itself is one of the most deprived, with the highest nuimber of reported cases of domestic abuse in the country. There’s a great physical need borne out of poverty, but also a great spiritual need. “The real purpose of the project is to meet people’s needs by sharing the love of Jesus with people. One of the overarching themes of it is given freely, freely given. Everything that comes into the multibank is given away without any questions asked, which is quite different to how other organisations operate. “We give away household items as well as food, and items like microwaves, kettles, TVs, electrical goods and even ornaments. The giving is about the whole person and giving people some dignity, so we also provide clothes and bedding.” The project helped 474 people in November of this year, with 178 of those being families. There were 126 new visitors to the multibank in October 2022 and 69 the following month, with a majority of people needing help coming from Balby throughout the year. Father Chris says he expects those numbers to grow again throughout December and into the New Year: “From its conception the whole project has grown month by month. We’re seeing record numbers of people needing help, and are looking at seeing about 500 people a week through the church doors - possibly the highest footfall in the diocese. It’s an opportunity to share with people our gospel calling. “The multibank has a free café, so a lot of its users stay and chat afterwards in what is a familiar space to them. There’s a great social need here; people are anxious, lonely and fearful. We’ve found as a team that people are incredibly open about discussing their problems.” A multi-agency approach is used for the project, with various professional organisations coming in on set days to help with things like benefits, housing and abuse. The period from June to November 2022 saw an increase in the number of people from Black, Minority and Ethnic backgrounds seeking help, along with a rise in women needing support. Father Chris says more funding is needed to keep up with demand: “There have been so many additional things placing extra pressure on people, such as the pandemic and the cost of living. We’ve really seen a huge increase in people needing help. We’re trying to raise awareness as much as possible. “Everything we do is funded by grants and donation, and the project is seeking £350,000 over three years because we have paid staff who help to bring that funding in. Heating the building is a massive outlay; you’re talking about £5,000 a month just to keep the building heated so at present it is often cold as we can’t face that bill. We’re facing extra pressures as a team.”This Christmas individuals and organisations have been so generous with new toys and chocolates which can be given to children and there are hampers made up for families known to be in especial need. The multibank is open every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from 10am-12pm. It’s hoped that the impact of the project can help to rebuild people’s lives and provide the support they need beyond those set days. The church building has an onsite shower for those who want to use it and perhaps no access to one where they are. Father Chris says they want to feed people spiritually as well as physically:“One of the great joys of the project is seeing people’s physical needs being met, but as a church leader we know that real transformation comes from hearing the good news. We really hope the café church will be an opportunity for people to hear the message, respond and pray with us.“I sense keenly the brokenness in people’s lives, whether that’s poverty, past abuse or family collapse. I get a real sense that God wants to heal those people and to help them. We’re expecting that God will bring a fruitful healing ministry to help others. We want to transform people’s lives.“We have a volunteer base of over 50 people. Some are Christians but others aren’t. It feels like God is drawing people to the project and helping with resources, but we always need more resources!“To have so many people walking through those doors is an opportunity we can’t miss. We have to grasp this chance to help people by the heart.”You can support the Given Freely, Freely Given project in a number of ways: Give online with the link http://www.easydonate.org/GFFG001 BACS transfer – details on request cheques can be accepted payee Balby St Johns PCC – sent c/o Warmsworth Rectory, 187 Warmsworth Road, Doncaster DN4 0TW Cash when you visit your time by volunteering Contact on 07599 628324 or givenfreelyfreelygiven@outlook.com You can read more about the project here: https://www.onekathtwojohns.church/given-freely-freely-given
80 years ago, members of 'The Few' fought for us in the Battle of Britain. Ernest Scott was born at 37 Low Road in December 30 Dec 1916 and baptised at St John the Evangelist's on 24th January 1917. He moved away and grew up in Mansfield.He joined the RAF in 1935 and did well. He was selected for pilot training and got his 'wings' in 1938. After being converted to Spitfires, he joined 222 Squadron first at RAF Duxford in Cambridgeshire. They moved to RAF Hornchurch in Essex in August 1940, where the squadron was heavily involved in the Battle of Britain.During September, Ernest had enough victories over the enemy to earn the title of Fighter Ace. <span style="font-size: 1rem;">On the morning of the 27th, he downed an Me109. He went out again in the afternoon, but this time a German Fighter ace in an Me109 shot him down. </span><span style="font-size: 1rem;">His parents were told he came down at sea and so his name was put on the Runnymede memorial, for those with no known grave. </span><span style="font-size: 1rem;">His Father died in 1917 and his Mother in 1971.</span>But the story doesn't end there.In the 1980's, two amateur aviation archaeologists became certain that a plane that had been seen diving at full speed into a field in Kent, was Ernest's Spitfire. They tried to get permission to retrieve the wreck without success. They needed permission from the family.In 1990, they put an advert in the Mansfield press and got a reply from Ernest's brother. They took him to the scene of the crash and then to see the Farmer, who initially offered the use of a JCB and driver. Even before they had got home the Farmer phoned to say they now could not excavate in his field.Ernest's brother now wrote to the MoD without success, and then, in desperation, to the Prince of Wales. Within days, an RAF crew came along and retrieved the wreck, with Ernest's remains still in it.He was give a burial at Margate Cemetery, with full military honours on the 1st of February 1991. 50 years after he died.The CO of RAF Manston, said of him, “He was a gentle and sensitive young man who knew the ideals he was fighting for. He is no longer missing.”Sergeant Ernest Scott (1916-1940) He that was lost, is now found.On the 27th of September 2020, it will be exactly 80 years since Ernest lost his life. I, for one, will remember him.For more info, see my biographical website on Ernest.https://5f4633203639d.site123.me/
