Readers will be interested to learn of the following donations given as a result of Christmas Carols in the parish:-

Parish Carol Singing

Amount donated £236.84

Kim Zipson of Save the Children writes:-

It’s a sad fact that children always suffer the most from poverty. That’s why Save the Children focus on children first. We look for the best possible way to help them get what they need - whether it’s food, healthcare, an education or simply someone to listen to what they have to say.

Parish Carol Singing

Amount donated £236.84

Cara Evans of Whizz-Kidz writes:-

Your support means that we will be able to help more disabled children to ‘whizz’ around, providing them with the independence of movement that most children take for granted. For Amanda, who received her powered wheelchair from Whizz-Kidz, the impact on her life has been dramatic. Amanda says ‘Going out with my friends is so much easier as I can now keep up with them and they don’t have to push me. I marched on my first cadet’s parade instead of just meeting them at the end’.

Maidstone Area Primary School’s Sing Around Christmas

Amount donated £216.68

Maidstone Business Community Carol Service

Amount donated £387.00

Total donated £603.68

Dr. Anthony Medhurst of Demelza house writes:-

Your support will enable over 300 children with life-limiting conditions to enjoy Christmas with their families supported by Care Staff at Demelza House Children’s Hospice.

Daniel, aged four, has a severe heart condition and needs constant attention. His mother, Louisa, said: ‘Christmas is a difficult time for my family. we don’t know how many more we are going to have with him so between us - my family and Demelza house - we make it a time he will never forget.’

Maidstone Business Community Carol Service

Amount donated £307.04

All Saints Service of

Nine Lessons and Christmas Carols by Candlelight

Amount donated £545.20

Total donated £852.24

Lionel Marchant writes:

During the Christmas period thousands of people came to All Saints church for a variety of Carol Service and Carol Concerts. This is one aspect demonstrating our desire that All Saints should be a place for outreach to the local community. The church is currently undergoing an extensive restoration project currently focusing on the renovation of the roofs. The chancel and sanctuary roofs have been completed and the next project will be the roof of the north aisle in the nave. This is estimated at over £350,000 but it is our aim that this work should be completed as soon as possible so that the care we give to All Saints building now will be our ‘Heritage for the Future’.