Diocesan News
Tractors and ships in Annalong
A recent fundraising event in Annalong was an interesting mix of tractors and ships! The Kilhorne Church Tractor Run attracted 104 vehicles, with proceeds going to parishioner Jane White who nurses with Mercy Ships. Mercy Ships deploys hospital ships to some of the poorest countries in the world, delivering vital, free healthcare to people in desperate need.
“Everyday’s a school day on your first incumbency,” said the rector, the Revd Geoff Hamilton. “This was definitely a new experience for me as I had never been to a tractor run before.
“What a joy to be part of it, especially watching the brilliant team of volunteers embrace their numerous tasks as they made it a night to remember. The tractors travelled around the local area and then as the one–hour route was concluding the convoy headed up the main street to the church grounds. The team was ready for action as they handed out hot dogs and ice–cream along with a creative Christian resource that used tractor colours to share the basics of the Christian faith. From a local perspective it was a brilliant community night for the village, but it was special to be able to raise funds for Jane.”
Founded in 1978, Mercy Ships has worked in more than 55 countries, providing healthcare delivery in every country it visits, as it seeks to eradicate the diseases of poverty and effectively do itself out of a job. In simple terms it’s ‘belief in practice’ as Jane and the team follow the model of Jesus by “bringing hope and healing to the forgotten poor.”
Geoff said: “I’ve heard it said that we live today in what some call the ‘attention economy’ as big businesses spend serious amounts of money feeding us images and suggestions, trying to grab and hold our attention. Let’s give our attention to things that really matter and fully participate in life and live lives that bring hope to our local communities and further afield!”
More than £4,200 has been raised. To see more photos from the event, just click here.
For further information please contact:
Diocesan Communications Officer, Down & Dromore
07840 006899
Mrs Annette McGrath
dco@downdromorediocese.org