Harvest Appeal 2008  

Mercy Ships - Celebrating 30 Years 

For our Harvest Appeal 2008 we want to raise a significant sum of money to help Mercy Ships celebrate 30 years and to contribute towards the cost of running the Africa Mercy hospital ship in Monrovia.  

Monrovia is the capital of Liberia with a population of over half a million, roughly the same as the whole of Bedfordshire.  The Africa Mercy is the only hospital functioning in the whole country which, after fourteen years of civil war, has left Liberia devastated with its infrastructure in ruins.

We also also want to collect a range of goods for use by patients on the ship.  These include:

• Bath towels, 
• Night-dresses, preferably blue/green or orange (the ward colours) but not necessarily plain,
• Sewing kits, such as needles, tape measures, bobbins, 
• Old towels, used for mopping, 
• Wash bags containing soap, toothpaste and flannels 
• Manual sewing machines.

The Africa Mercy is the world’s largest non-governmental hospital ship.  It has six operating theatres, a 78 bed patient ward and accommodation for more than 450 volunteer crew members.

During the current ten month's field service in Liberia, the crew will provide:

• Specialised eye surgery for more than 2,400 people.
• Surgery and counselling for more than 450 people affected by maxillofacial and plastic reconstructive conditions.
• Orthopaedic surgery and occupational / physical therapy to 115 men, women and children suffering from neglected trauma and childhood musculoskeletal conditions.
• Dental care and simultaneous dental health education for 6,000 people (over 10,000 procedures).

The team will also train:

• Two local surgeons in cataract removal.
• Ten community eye care workers in ophthalmic care.
• Twenty teachers to give oral health training in their classrooms
• Two Liberians with the skills to be dental assistants and dental hygiene instructors.

We feel very passionately that, having helped to fund the launching of the Africa Mercy three years ago, we would like to be involved with their celebrations and assist with the vital work they are doing in Liberia. 

Please support us in this appeal.

We've organised the following events:

• A Hoop-La and General Stall at the Ramsey Manor Lower School PTA Strawberry Fayre in Barton on Saturday, 5 July 2008 at 2:00 pm. All are welcome to come along and have an action-packed and fun afternoon.
  
  
• A Garden Party in the Parish Centre on Wednesday, 20 August 2008 at 2:00 pm Admission Vouchers £4 (£2 for children under 12).
  
  
• A Harvest Lunch at the Parish Centre on Sunday, 5 October 2008 at 1:00 pm followed by Songs of Praise (optional). Admission Vouchers for the Garden Party and the Harvest Lunch can be obtained by telephoning (01582) 508 761.

Editor's note.  Including Gift Aid Tax Relief, the Garden Party raised just under £600.  Many thanks to all those who contributed.

At both Harvest Festival Services, the 9:30 am Holy Communion and the Family Service at 11:15 am we hope that a representative from Mercy Ships will speak to us and will be able to accept all of the gifts we have hopefully been able to donate.

If you cannot attend the Harvest Festival services, there will be boxes at the back of the Church for goods to be deposited in the weeks prior to the festival. Donations of money can also be placed in the Church Plate by the south door.

Please support us in our efforts, and join in the Mercy Ships celebratory year. Thank you.

For more information, please visit the UK Mercy Ships website (opens in new window).  Click here to visit the Mercy Ships international gateway.   

Before                                        After

Back to top      Back to CARE Committee      

The Africa Mercy