A group of churches across a range of Christian denominations and traditions in Hinckley have come together to share what they have with those ‘truly suffering and in need’ this Christmas.
AlterNativity is a way of gifting charities both close to home and across the world, providing much needed resources to the poor and vulnerable, and has been an annual initiative for the Hinckley and District Churches Together for the last 15 years.
The usual activities of the group have been affected by restrictions due to the Covid pandemic, but with a heart to generate more ‘gifts’ than ever, the community is pulling together and praying that people will swap their conventional Christmas presents and find joy in helping those most in need.
Wendy Martin has been involved with AlterNativity from its inception, and says that the initiative is very much a combined effort of people seeking to share God’s love from local churches and Christian organisations including St John’s Church, Trinity Church, St Peter’s, St Mary’s, Hinckley Methodist Church, The Salvation Army, Hope Church, The Living Rock Church in Stoney Stanton, Burbage Methodist Church, the United Reformed Church and other places of worship.
In previous years, come rain or shine, an event to launch the seasonal fundraiser was held and opened by the Mayor of Hinckley, and each of the charities took a stall. Of course, this year that will not be able to happen, and all the gifts will be ordered by mail, with information available through the group’s website.
“We’ve tried to include smaller, lesser-known charities, many whom have been hit hard by Coronavirus,” explains Wendy. “Our focus is sharing what we have with those who are truly suffering and in need.”
Those organisations include Leicester City of Sanctuary, Adapt Prembabies, The Leprosy Mission, Send a Cow, Hinckley Area Food Bank and Hinckley Homeless Group.
You can purchase lunch for a month for an asylum seeker at a weekly drop in, buy protective sandals for a person in Africa, a bedding bale for a local homeless person, provide a family in Zambia with a chicken to lay a regular supply of eggs or pay for a starter pack for the parents of a premature or poorly baby.
There’s also a small list with lower priced gifts children may wish to purchase with their pocket money.
Wendy is involved with the Christian charity Send a Cow and has witnessed first-hand the poverty across Africa. “I have seen the difference in the way we live compared with many countries, and feel the need to offer any help I can in God’s name,” she explains. “This is very much my calling, and since retiring as the head of a Church school I have been able to give more of my time in support.”
Linda Coyle is also involved with organising AlterNativity and sits on the committee of Hinckley Churches Together. She is a member of St Peter’s RC Church in Hinckley, where she is a Eucharistic minister visiting the elderly.
She says: “It’s not just about buying the gifts, or the money we raise, but it’s also about trying to get people to think differently when it comes to giving at Christmas. There are only so many bottles of wine and boxes of chocolates you can have, but buying a gift in someone’s name, that will help out others less fortunate, is a heart-warming gesture.”
Linda is very passionate about the charities supported through AlterNativity and the work that goes on in the community. She has visited many of the organisations and knows the effort that goes into sustaining such valuable work.
“It’s just such a worthwhile project that I’ve felt compelled to get more and more involved with,” she explains. “It seems so essential for me, and I do feel that God is at work in steering me to do something so helpful.”
Have you thought about altruistic gift giving this year? That might take the shape of a donation to your local food bank, or shelter, an eco-charity or children’s hospice. There are many charities and associations to support across the Diocese of Leicester.
If you would like to know more about Hinckley AlterNativity, its chosen charities and gifts, visit www.hinckley-alternativity.org.uk Gifts can be ordered until December 9th.