Archbishop's charity expands into Scotland (From York Press)

Archbishop's charity expands into Scotland

10:45am Friday 8th March 2013 in News By Gavin Aitchison, gavin.aitchison@thepress.co.uk

AN anti-poverty charity set up by the Archbishop of York has expanded into Scotland.

Acts 435, which enables people to donate online to particular people with particular needs, has raised more than £120,000 for 2,800 people since its launch in 2010 and has been embraced by many churches around England.

Whiteinch Church in Glasgow has now become the first Scottish church to sign up to the charity. It placed its first request for help on the site on Thursday, for £50 for a cooker for someone who had recently climbed out of homelessness, and raised £40 of the target within hours.

Around 81 per cent of people in Whiteinch are on benefits or child tax credit, said a spokesman for the Archbishop.

Margaret Sentamu, Chair of the Trustees for Acts 435, said: “It is great news that Acts 435 is now serving people in Scotland as well as England. I hope that many more churches will want to join us in bringing real help to those in need. It is important that we show Christian love through practical actions.”

James Renwick, Acts 435 advocate at Whiteinch, said: “I love what Acts 435 is about. It’s such a great idea”.

For more information about Acts 435 or to donate to current requests, visit www.acts435.org.uk