“Let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. ”
1 John 3.18 (NIV)

Sunnyside Church has a long tradition of giving generously to charities and mission agencies both here in the UK and overseas. We give to both Christian and secular groups who care for those in need, spiritually, mentally or physically. We have strict criteria and all the recipients are thoroughly investigated. Some charities are recent additions and some are long standing. We do review them all regularly.

Frontiers UK – James & Jo Price

James writes: Thank you so much for the generous gift from Sunnyside to sustain our work here in Malaysia last year. We are currently a team of six adults, each finding ways to live and serve the Rohingya community, who live in Malaysia as stateless refugees with very few rights. Our work includes:

• prenatal courses with pregnant women, followed by a bag of baby essentials and a visit to newborns after the birth;
• weekly food aid to a poorer community, distributing surplus food and donations from a local church and NGO;
• Malay classes among newly arrived women in the community, most of whom are illiterate;
• nutrition classes which help young families to understand about healthy food and clean water in the context of living here in Malaysia.

All of our work seeks to deepen meaningful relationships and create opportunities to share the love of Jesus.

Bulawayo Shelter

The Bulawayo Shelter opened its doors in 1989 and was founded by Inez Calderwood, Diana’s mother-in-law, to support the destitute and the hungry, following James 2.14–17. The shelter is run by a committee of volunteers from local churches and employs a small staff. They have 40 beds and provide meals for those in need who come. Zimbabwe has suffered enormous hardships and an ailing economy, so raising donations locally is next to impossible. The money from Sunnyside is welcomed to keep their doors open. They grow vegetables in their garden to provide food for the kitchen, and recent plentiful rains have given them a good crop, helping the shelter to survive.

Wycliffe Bible Translators

Wycliffe’s mission is to serve local partners worldwide as they bring God’s word to their communities in their own tongue. Their vision is of a world where everyone can know Jesus through reading the Bible. One in five, or 1.5 billion people, are still waiting for a Bible translated into their first language. Your generosity can help bring this about. They also produce Bible-based devotions, helping to develop a deeper relationship with God. Wycliffe use many modern methods to assist translations, most recently AI. We heard earlier this year from the translators working with the Banyole people in Uganda, an ethnic group who are poor, subsistence farmers. Sunnyside Church has been a long-time supporter of this team, ever since their work began. Wycliffe translators have produced a New Testament for the Banyole and now hope to bring them the whole Bible.

Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) – Sam and Abby Baguma

MAF was founded after the Second World War, a Christian organisation bringing hope and healing to people living in isolation and poverty. Every 6 minutes a MAF flight lands or takes off somewhere in the world, assisting missions, churches, aid development and medical aid, helping to transform lives in communities cut off from the outside world. We support Sam and Abby, who live in Kampala with their 2 daughters. Sam serves as Country Director for MAF Uganda and Abby teaches at a Christian school. A much-hoped-for seaplane has arrived but is not yet operational, which will enable MAF to reach remote communities on islands in Lake Victoria. They are waiting for a South African team to help complete a much-needed runway at their Kajjansi base, but travel restrictions in place in Uganda because of Ebola have slowed progress. The high cost of aviation fuel earlier in the year reduced funds.

Herts Young Homeless

A new addition this year to GDUK, Herts Young Homeless is the leading youth homeless charity in Hertfordshire. It aims to prevent young people from becoming homeless. They talk in schools, act as family mediators and can refer young people to mental health or substance misuse support services. They offer early advice if there is a risk of a young person losing their home. It prioritises 16–17-year-olds but is available to young adults up to age 24, advising them how to achieve stable independent living. Each young person is treated as an individual, with advice tailored to keep them in work or education and supporting them with skills for life. They aim to help them to a safe, secure and successful future.

Dacorum Emergency Night Shelter (DENS)

Back in 1998, seven local churches saw the need for beds for the homeless in extreme cold weather and Dacorum Emergency Night Shelter was founded. Now it’s become the first call for people in Dacorum facing poverty, homelessness and social exclusion. They aim to provide everyone in need with a long-term plan, encouraging them to become active members of the community. They ensure everyone has access to accommodation, short and long-term, with food and services, helping them develop skills, resilience and confidence. They have a 44-bed facility at The Elms in partnership with Dacorum Council, and Rent Aid supports those who move on into independent living. They also provide food parcels and assist in developing employment prospects by offering work experience to gain qualifications. They can provide help and advice to those who face financial difficulties, checking benefits that they are entitled to and giving budgeting advice. There is so much more they offer, so please do consult their web page.

Playskill

Playskill works to improve the lives of those who need it most, offering a unique service to children, to develop communication, movement and key life skills for those who are physically or mentally impaired. Children up to 5 years old develop fastest and intervention is essential for these children to reach their potential. The service operates in Hertfordshire and surrounding areas. They provide play sessions with therapies geared to the needs of the individual child and support the whole family with events where they can meet other families in similar circumstances. They also provide respite for parents, giving them much-needed time and space to be with their other children. There is no government money allocated for Playskill.

Rennie Grove Peace Hospice Care

Rennie Grove Peace Hospice provides patient-controlled palliative care and bereavement support in Buckinghamshire and Hertfordshire, employing over 340 people and many volunteers. They provide high-quality specialist care for patients and their families facing life-limiting illnesses, helping them to manage their conditions and offering support and end-of-life care. They have a four-stage support plan:

• early support;
• living well with illness;
• dying well;
• bereavement support.

Each year they look after 4,500 patients, visiting them at home and providing individual care plans. They provide services for babies and children who have life-threatening conditions. They can provide short-term, inpatient care to manage pain relief and to alleviate symptoms. They are available 24 hours a day and there is always someone at the end of the phone to answer questions, give support and offer advice. Only 15% of funds come from the government and the rest has to be raised locally. So, every donation is much appreciated.

With the financial pressures of today, many charities providing essential support are struggling. Every gift is welcomed, however small – together we can make a big difference. Let us offer “Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow”.