The flooding following Storm Dennis has hit parts of the Wolverhampton & Shrewsbury District very hard. We'd like to give churches and circuits the chance to offer assistance to those most badly affected. Financial contributions are invited over a two-week period including Sundays 23rd February and 1st March. Whilst recognising that floods have affected many communities, following extensive conversations we have chosen to split the monies given between the following two organisations.

The "Love Tenbury" project: Tenbury Wells was extensively flooded. Churches working together in the town, including the Methodist Church, are actively considering setting up a hardship fund. Money given will either go to this or to fund activities which build community cohesion in the aftermath of the flood.

Borderlands Rural Chaplaincy: Whilst news about the floods has focused on homes and businesses, huge areas of agricultural land are under water. Winter-sown crops have been destroyed. Spring sowing will be delayed. Livestock farmers have also been hit. This is one of many challenges currently affecting farmers. Borderlands supports those farming families under extreme stress.

How to help: Please send any money raised to the District bank account in one of the following two ways:
1. By bank transfer to Wolverhampton & Shrewsbury Methodist District, The Co-operative Bank, sort code 08-92-99, account no. 65495391 quoting reference "Flood relief". At the same time please email janet@wsmethodist.org.uk to tell us about the donation, e.g. the amount and who it is from or the circumstances in which it was raised.
2. By cheque payable to Wolverhampton & Shrewsbury Methodist District and sent to the District Office, Beckminster Methodist Church, Birches Barn Road, Wolverhampton WV3 7BQ. Please mark the back of your cheque "Flood relief" and tell us in a covering note who it is from, with contact details, and if not a personal donation tell us how the money was raised.
Important – Gift Aid: Personal donations are very welcome and, if paid directly to the District (i.e. not via your church), will potentially qualify for gift aid and thereby increase the amount by 25%. If you have not previously made a gift aid declaration to the District, Janet will be happy to send you a form to complete on receipt of your donation.