St Feock donate vaccine costs to poorer nations
From Cornwall with love…
With Covid-19 still ravaging many parts of the world, the rush for vaccinations affects us all.
The congregation at St Feock has played its part in helping to get vaccines to people in poorer countries by raising almost £1,700.
Following a talk by Local Worship Leader Nina Davey about the UNICEF ‘twin my vaccine’ programme, which aims to get 2 billion Covid-19 vaccinations to people in over 190 of the poorest countries, St Feock’s flock of 56 flew into action.
The following week, the congregation decided to try and give the equivalent of what their own vaccines would have cost if they had had to pay for one and the result was £1,697. This money will enable over 30,000 vaccinations to be given in developing countries.
PCC Secretary Rosalind Smith said: “It just shows what a massive difference one small village church and a congregation of 56 can make. We hope this might encourage others to have a try.”
The Rt Revd Philip Mounstephen, Bishop of Truro, said: “This really is an amazing effort and I want to give thanks to the whole congregation and say congratulations to you all. It’s a great example of a committed collective community effort – and well worth sharing.”
The Church of England is backing the VaccinAid campaign to ‘Give the World a Shot’ to help defeat Covid-19.
Led by UNICEF UK, with the online fundraising platform Crowdfunder, the campaign offers people a practical way to give thanks for their Covid-19 vaccination, by making a voluntary donation to help pay for jabs for others around the world.
It aims to help fund almost two billion Covid-19 vaccines for health workers and the most high risk and vulnerable people on our planet. The money raised will also help UNICEF provide tests and treatments to people in 190 countries around the world through the global COVAX initiative.
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, encouraged people and congregations to donate and to spread the word in the community, as a practical demonstration of Jesus’s command to love our neighbour.
VaccinAid is being supported by other faith groups, businesses, celebrities and the NHS.
