Church to raise £1.6 million to help young
people in Peckham
Released: 15.10.07

 

An ambitious initiative to raise £1.6 million before the end of this year and save the UCKG HelpCentre at 176 Rye Lane, Peckham, has been launched by Bishop Renato Cardoso.

The Bishop, who heads the UCKG HelpCentres in the UK, will be participating in a sponsored climb of Britain’s highest mountain, Ben Nevis, on 28 November with 49 friends and colleagues. The money they will raise is needed for purchase of the property at 176 Rye Lane. UCKG members are also actively fundraising through numerous smaller initiatives in Peckham and surrounding areas.

For the last ten years, UCKG’s Peckham HelpCentre has supported hundreds of people a year with a range of services. Supporting young people who are trying to escape addictions or gang life has been a major priority. However the church never turns anyone away and has programmes for the old and sick, prisoners, singles and families. Faced with a real possibility of closure as its 10-year lease comes to an end and a new landlord wants to redevelop the property, the church has concluded that the best solution is to buy the premises.

“The alternatives were to accept a much smaller space within the redeveloped Rye Lane property and pay far more rent, move away, or close,” said Bishop Renato Cardoso. “Any of these would have limited our ability to help local people, including 100 young men and women and 70 children, seven days a week throughout the year. 

“We decided we must buy the building to secure the future of our HelpCentre. It’s a big challenge to climb Ben Nevis and an even bigger one to raise £1.6 million in addition to the £180,000 deposit we have already paid. We believe that we owe it to the people of Peckham to succeed.”

Peckham has long term issues with crime, guns and gangs and UCKG aims to continue combating these by offering youths a better alternative to street life in a new and improved HelpCentre. 

This will include a brand new, fully equipped Youth Centre to provide training, encourage academic excellence, and promote sound life skills. CLAIT (Computer Literacy and Information Technology) courses will be available along with mentoring services, careers guidance, and leisure space and activities.

The HelpCentre approach, which is based on young people reaching out to young people, is very successful. It connects well with youngsters, understanding the mindset and peer pressure of youths today. UCKG’s experience with hundreds of youngsters in Youth Groups across the UK has shown that even the most problematic young people can change for the better and contribute positively to society.

Further information about the Peckham HelpCentre and the sponsored climb of Ben Nevis are to be found on the website http://www.thebennevischallenge.com.

ENDS

Caption: Bishop Renato Cardoso

Notes to editors:

UCKG is a Christian church and registered charity that offers a range of practical support activities alongside spiritual support and comfort. It was formed in 1977 and is active in some 100 countries as a church in the mainstream Pentecostal tradition. It reached the UK in 1995 and has gone from strength to strength, providing support and spreading the Christian faith.

For more information please contact Jenny Walton or Lucy Andrews on 023 8071 3020 or Francessca Lewis at UCKG on 0207 686 6033.