Faith in our Community deliver cards and gift boxes

Photo by kind permission of Peter Barron Media

Comfort and Joy appeal nears target – Durham Cathedral and County Durham Community Foundation approach £2000 milestone.

Durham Cathedral and County Durham Community Foundation are close to reaching their fundraising target of £2,000 for their joint Comfort and Joy appeal.

Before the appeal closes on Friday, December 11th, people are encouraged to get behind the campaign to send Christmas cards to members of the community in a bid to beat loneliness.

Appeal nears target

With over 500 Christmas cards already delivered and hundreds more in the post, many people who were identified as being at risk of social isolation are starting to feel the impact of the appeal.

In emails and messages on social media, six grassroots community groups responsible for delivering the cards have been expressing thanks to campaign supporters for sharing the joy of this season with those that need it the most this year.

Comfort and Joy

A Durham resident has shared her story of spreading #ComfortandJoy with her Mum, who lives on the other side of the country:

“At present we don’t know if we will be able to visit my Mum this Christmas, especially given her age and underlying health conditions that make her more vulnerable.

“We considered driving across the Pennines simply to wave to her through the window, but concluded that it may well be more distressing for her if we can’t actually go inside.

“She will certainly be delighted with a card from the cathedral. She used to love coming to Durham to visit us when younger and in better health.”               

Join in and spread cheer

There are a number of ways people can get involved, with a variety of donation options:

  • £7 will send a card to one of the individuals who has been identified as ‘at risk’ of social isolation by participating charities. 
  • £10 will send a card to a loved one whom, because of coronavirus restrictions, you may not have seen this year – or just to remind them you care.
  • £15 will combine both options, to spread as much joy as possible.

Donations can be made via the Local Giving page online.

After the cost of the cards and delivery, proceeds from the appeal will be shared between Durham Cathedral, to support its recovery from Covid-19, and County Durham Community Foundation’s Covid-19 Recovery Fund, which is helping community groups and organisations in the local area.

Thanks go to Remember Media Ltd for forgoing their usual fees for the design of the Christmas cards.