The National Children’s Home (NCH) is the charity of the Methodist Church. It was founded originally to provide residential care for children (as it says in the title). Latterly, it has moved away from its residential role and now provides care and support within the community to children and young people. As a charity, it depends on funds raised from various sources and in particular from Methodist churches throughout the land and a large part of this is raised through an annual house-to-house collection. Here at Fulwood, we have raised a great deal of money and for every £1 raised, NCH can raise a further £4 from other agencies so what we have achieved in the past matters. Unfortunately, this year we did not hold our collection because we do not at present have a Co-ordinator for the House-to-House collection and help is needed.

What does this job entail? NCH sends out the envelopes and stationery. The House-to-House collection is carried out during September (the individual collector may choose the most convenient time for themself in the month). The envelopes must then be counted out for the various roads and the collectors contacted. There is a database for both. The collectors are given their envelopes, badge and certificate of authority at the end of August. After the envelopes have been collected, they are returned unopened to the co-ordinate who empties them, counts the money and banks it. The details of amounts and roads are passed onto NCH with an order form for the next year. Once all the monies have been collected and the final amount collected known, the collectors are informed using special postcards provided by NCH.

I have been the Co-ordinator for several years and now cannot manage to do all the work entailed so, therefore, am asking for help. I am more than happy to be responsible for dealing with the money but someone else is needed to be responsible for contacting collectors and putting together their envelope packs.

If the load is shared the task is not too onerous. If you feel you can help, or if you would like further information, please contact me (tel no. 716203). We have been one of NCH’s most successful churches so it would be tragic if we cannot continue to help their valuable work.