Churches fundraise to support those experiencing domestic abuse

More than £7,000 has been raised by churches across north-east and mid-Wales to support the work of the north Wales Domestic Abuse Safety Unit (DASU).

DASU, which works to support anyone experiencing domestic abuse, has been the Diocese of St Asaph’s charity of the year. A last-minute flurry of fund-raising by churches meant the total money sent was more than £1,000 higher than anticipated.

Ros Crawford (left) with Sian Byrne, Carolyn Hodrien and Amy Patterson from DASU and John Lomas (right) Archdeacon of Wrexham.

Rosamund Crawford, the Diocesan Offering Officer, who co-ordinates the fundraising said: “We visited staff at DASU with a cheque to present at the end of September, but I am delighted we managed to increase the final amount by more than £1,000.  A total of £7,140.71 was raised by churches across the diocese, including £750 from our newest church, Hope Street based in the former Burton’s store in the centre of Wrexham.

“This money will be a huge benefit to DASU which has seen a massive rise in demand for its service throughout the pandemic.”

Churches from Llandudno in north Wales to Newtown in mid-Wales have been raising money throughout the year, despite the closure of church buildings due to the pandemic. New and innovative ways to fundraise have been developed including an online comedy night held just before Christmas 2020. The comedians included Britains Got Talent finalist Daliso Chaponda.

The DASU Head of Services in Wrexham and Flintshire, Carolyn Hodrien, said: “We are so grateful to the churches and individuals who donated towards our charity, especially in such difficult times. The numbers seeking support have hugely increased during covid and the funds will help us continue supporting the men, women and children who are still subjected to domestic abuse.”

Every year the congregations in the churches which make up the Diocese of St Asaph raise money to support a local charity.  The charity is selected by members of the Diocesan Conference and the money raised is donated at the annual conference each October. Next year, churches will be raising money to support an organic avocado farm being set up by the Anglican church in the Diocese of St Asaph’s link diocese in Tanzania.

In 2020, churches across the diocese of St Asaph raised £6,000 for north Wales based Haven of Light, which works to tackle modern slavery. Previous recipients of the diocesan offering include Housing Justice Cymru which set up temporary night shelters in church buildings, the Alzheimer’s Society, Blind Veterans and the Wales Air Ambulance.

The Diocese of St Asaph is one of the six dioceses of the Church in Wales, an independent Province of the worldwide Anglican Communion.  St Asaph looks after 214 churches and 51 Church Schools.

ENDS