Marathon Knitters and Collectors
St Mary's Church Bradenstoke has long been associated with the Samaritans Purse charity that sends shoeboxes full of gifts, toys a few essential toiletries and sweets to children all over the world who have little to cheer about in their daily lives.

This year as well as collecting filled shoeboxes, marathon knitters have been making warm hats, scarves, teddies and brightly coloured glove puppets to brighten up the childrens lives.

We have knitters and shoebox donators from all around the county contibuting to our collection so three cheers to them for a fantasticic job well done. Modelling just some of the collection so far are members of St Mary's congregation who show how good it feels to give as well as receive at Christmas time.

Can you help?
Is your heart broken by the desperate plight of millions of children around the world? Whether they are refugees of civil war, survivors of a natural disaster, or victims of extreme poverty, these little ones need to know that they are precious too.

That’s the motivation behind Operation Christmas Child, the unique project of Samaritan’s Purse that enables caring people like St Mary's Church Bradenstoke provide a gift to the hurting girls and boys in the far corners of the globe.

Take an ordinary shoe box, fill it with toys and other presents, and you have an extraordinary gift for a child in need of joy and hope. Please help and get involved in Operation Christmas Child. For further details on the Operation Christmas Child shoe boxes please click here

Through the power of a simple gift, you can bless a child’s life—and make a world of difference. If you would like to help, please get in touch with Sue Thompson either by telephone 01249 890931 or at St Mary's Church Bradenstoke, Sue helps to co-ordinates the local Samaritans Purse collection point.