About Us

OUR MISSION STATEMENT

Our mission is to support St. Clare's Church in the short, medium and long term.

Short term

The church has to concentrate its funds and its work force on priority areas and it is never possible to do everything it would like to do. So Friends of St. Clare's, will in time, be able to step in with financial help. For example Friends of St. Clare's have provided a wheelchair to be used in emergencies. Over the years, happily not very often, a member of the congregation or hall user will take ill. Previously an ordinary chair has been used to drag the person to the foyer for fresh air or to take an ambulance. Now the wheelchair allows this to take place with more dignity and speed. It also saves damaging the floor.

Another example of our short term support is the purchase of some large games for 'Messy Church' This will help the organisers with their already brilliant efforts to run what has become a vital part of our church diary, and recently £50 was donated to Shine Choir for a new microphone stand. This was donated by Noel Bennett. See more information on these subjects in achievements found under the heading - More .

Medium and long term support

Medium term

In August 2017 Friends of St. Clare's provided a defibrillator installed on the outside wall of St. Clare's Church.

It took about a year to raise around £2,000 to achieve this. This is an example of our medium term support and although we hope the defibrillator will never have to be used it is there for the benefit of church goers and the community.

Long term

Friends of St. Clare's will save some of the funds raised and invest for the future so that if ever there was to be a real crisis in years to come financial support would be available. This long term project could prove to be the most beneficial of all our support, although it may take many, many years to achieve.

The aim is to invest over a long period a substantial amount of money. So much so that although the capital would not be used, the interest alone will provide a good income. All the funds will be used directly or indirectly for the church.

Are you a member of St Clare’s Congregation?

YES...

You will be more than welcome to join Friends of St. Clare's. However please bear in mind that anything you give (time or money) to St Clare’s Church at the moment should not be diminished by joining Friends of St. Clare's. You can understand that we do not want to take away money or support the church is receiving from you.

Our main aim is to introduce to non regular church goers the opportunity to support Friends of St. Clare's financially. Your membership of Friends of St. Clare's is important to show others that we are ready to support this enterprise ourselves.

NO...

We are particularly looking for people who do not attend the church at all or only attend on rare occasions such as Christmas, christenings, weddings, funerals or other special occasions. It is thought that there are many people in this category that whilst not being regular attenders may still wish to have the opportunity to support the Church.

You may have never set foot inside the church but you know that it is a building worth saving and that the good work that goes on because of it, both inside and outside is vital to the town of Newton Aycliffe and it's people.

You can see more on this subject under TREASURES.

How will we raise funds?

THIS IS HOW WE WILL RAISE FUNDS

There are many committees and organisations to which applications can be made for funding and we will naturally apply to them. This will usually be when we are raising funds for a specific reason within our short and medium term projects. We will raise money for our long term project mainly via membership donations. We will also hold events to not only raise funds but also engage members socially. There are other sources of income and methods of fund raising that we will also be looking into.

FUNDS

There will be three separate funds. One for short and medium term projects. One for long term investments and one for sponsorship.

Donations will always be used for short, medium or long term use. Membership fees are for long term investment and both these funds will never be used for administration or similar expenses but every penny will always be spent directly in support of the church. Whilst on the subject, no one (Friends of St. Clare's Officials) and that includes Noel Bennett will ever be paid for work they do for Friends of St. Clare's.

SPONSORSHIP

This fund is set up so that those who donate towards our short, medium and long term funds will be happy in the knowledge that every penny of their donation will be used to the support of St. Clare's Church. It will not, without their permission, be counted as sponsorship. We are seeking sponsorship to pay for administration, promotions, printing, postage, web site and other related costs including advertising campaigns to increase membership. We are searching for companies or individuals who would like to sponsor Friends of St. Clare's in return for their logo and other wording being placed on all our signage.

If you as an individual or you know of a company who would like to know more about our sponsorship deals available please get in touch.

How to become a member

To become a member of Friends of St. Clare's, please complete the form on the MEMBERSHIP page. You will then receive a Standing Order form which you need to complete and send to your bank. You decide how much you wish to donate monthly (minimum £2).

TERMS FOR THE ALLOCATION AND USE OF FUNDS

GIVEN TO FRIENDS OF ST CLARE’S

These terms are subject to the Constitution.

All membership payments will go into the investment account.

When sponsorship is requested or specified it will be used for the administration and running costs of the charity.

Specific donations will be used for the item or project specified.

If the donations given cover whatever is specified and there are funds left over, these leftover funds shall be used towards the next project.

Any general donations are those that are not specified and can be used mainly for short and medium-length projects.

However, any of the three accounts. Investment, sponsorship and general can be used when thought appropriate by the committee, making reference to the constitution.

By donating, donors agree to these terms.

Noel F Bennett

CHAIRMAN

Friends of St. Clare's