CHARITY IN FOCUS - St. GILES CENTRE APPEAL
At our PCC meeting held on Monday 13th October 2023 the PCC decided to suspend our charitable giving, with the exception ofChristian Aid. The reason for this is to prioritise fundraising toward refurbishing the St. Giles Centre.
Let us now 'Centre' our Efforts:We are on a mission to transform St. Giles Centre into a welcoming, fully accessible community space - including new toilets - but we need your help to raise the £59,000 required.From This:  To This:  Your support will help us create a space that everyone in our community can enjoy. Use our Just Giving Link to donate funds, or this QR code.  Donations can also be made by cheques made payable to St Giles PCC. and marked St Giles centre on the back. They can be left in the envelopes in the church porch, Bank transfers can be made to: Account No 50686212, Sort Code 20-14-33, A/c. name - Parochial Church Council of St Giles. About St. Giles Centre AppealSt Giles Centre has played an important part in the life of our church since its construction in the 1970s and 80s.Read More Social events, play groups, music lessons, film nights, bereavement support groups, PCC meetings, Sunday Schools, afternoon teas and fund-raising events have all taken place within its walls. In addition, it has been home to the Parish Office for over 10 years which has meant that the administrative centre of the parish has been at the heart of the village along with our church. Importantly since the closing and demolition of the public toilets the Centre has been the site of the only toilets in close proximity to the church. Over the past 20 years my focus and that of the PCC and the Friends has been the refurbishment of St Giles. Over this time half a million has been spent on such things as the lighting, kneelers, tower, bells, altar frontals, organ, cupboards, the lychgate, boiler and redecoration to mention just a few. Now, with all the improvements safely in place the time has come to turn our attention to the refurbishment of the Centre. The plans are suggesting a thorough refurbishment of the whole building which will include: * A new roof across all rooms. * New toilets * A new kitchen * New flooring and lighting throughout. * Re-plastering and redecoration throughout * A new tarmac driveway * Solar power and gas supply. I know that donating to a building refurb is not the most exciting of projects, yet having a good and attractive Centre will play an important part in the ongoing life and mission of St Giles. Thank you for your support. Matthew |
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Appeal LaunchThe main appeal for project funds took place at the Patronal festival service on 7th September 2025. 
 Prayer for the Centre RefurbishmentAlmighty God, good Father to us all we thank you for your love and provision towards St Giles church over many years. We now offer to you the challenges that we face in terms of our Centre, we pray for a generous response to our appeals and that all that is required may be in place so that the light of your love and truth may be proclaimed in this place. This we ask in Jesus' name, Amen Donation from ForestersOn 2nd April 2025 Barbara Pauling, Val Bracey and Chris Stiller from the Orpington Court of the Foresters Friendly Society, presented Rev Mathew Hughes with a cheque for £300.00 as a donation towards the refurbishment of the St Giles Hall for the Bereavement Counselling Service. The Foresters is a Friendly Society which was established in1834 when workers combined together to contribute towards sickness payments and death benefits under the principal of mutual self help. When the Welfare State came into being in 1948 it was feared that Societies, like the Foresters, would collapse but thankfully we were able to survive. The Foresters is a nationwide Mutual Branch Society and the local Courts (branches) can donate towards local charities. |
ABOUT ST. GILES CHURCH
Charity in Focus 2023
Here are the charities that weresupported in 2023:
| Month | Charity |
| Jan / Feb | Church of Bangladesh |
| March | MANUP - Men's Mental Health Charity |
| April / May | Christian Aid |
| (May / June | The Parish Fete) |
| July / August | Christians Against Poverty |
| September | Giving to St. Giles |
| October | Poverty and Hope Appeal |
| November | CRISIS |
| December | The Samaritans |
Eddie Roberts 01689 851267 stgiles.charity@gmail.com
Charity Film Nights:
Charity Film nights are held in the St. Giles Centre, normally on the last Thursday of each month.Film details can be found in the Parish Magazine