£1.5million for World Mission Fund
Wednesday 22nd November 2017Seventy years ago since it was founded, The Boys’ Brigade (Church of Scotland) World Mission Fund has raised more than £1.5million to support projects overseas.
Last Friday (17 Nov), at a ceremony in Dunblane Cathedral, over 100 BB members from the Anchor, Junior and Company sections presented the Moderator of the General Assembly – The Right Rev Dr Derek Browning – with a £10,000 cheque following fundraising efforts.
In the last year, BB members took part in the ‘Climate Conscious’ Project which supported environmental efforts in Bangladeshi villages.
Craig & Kalesha visited Bangladesh in August
Last August, Craig Lowe and Kalesha Mayne, young BB leaders from Kirkintilloch and Paisley returned from a two-week visit to Bangladesh to witness first-hand how global warming is affecting the South Asian country.
In partnership with the Church of Bangladesh, Craig, 22 and Kalesha, 21 spent time in the Dhaka area of the country and meeting farmers which also saw the wider local community being educated about the effects of climate change and what steps they could take to mitigate issues.
Craig, from the 1st Kirkintilloch Company, added:
“The work being done in Bangladesh is only a small project in two villages but if successful the changes implemented will spread as other farmers see the rewards being generated.”
Also at the ceremony, five members from 1st / 2nd Milngavie (Anchors), and two young people from 1st Hamilton (Company & best average) received awards for the efforts, which included a 24-hour cylethon which covered 700km. Members of 1st Scone were also recognised for their support to this year’s appeal. In addition, the 2017/18 World Mission Fund project was announced. Playground for the Stars aims to provide safe places for refugee children to play in Egypt.
The Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, Rt Rev Dr Derek Browning, said:
“It was a pleasure to take part in the Boys’ Brigade service at Dunblane Cathedral and to have the opportunity to meet some of these generous young people.
“I very much appreciate Boys’ Brigade members across Scotland who have raised the magnificent sum of £10,000 for the World Mission Council and to support the people of flood-threatened Bangladesh.”
The band from the 25th Stirling (Dunblane) company provided entertainment at the event and a reading was given by Stirling & District battalion president Alexander Stewart MBE MSP.
John Sharp, Director for Scotland, The Boys’ Brigade, said:
“Over the last seventy years the BB World Mission Fund has supported a variety of initiatives and people from across the world, and raised a fantastic sum of money.
“World Mission is just one of many ways in which the BB provides young people chances to play an active role in helping others – both here and around the world. It’s important that our members can also learn about these issues and what it means to be a global citizen.
“Seeing so many young people get behind the cause has been fantastic and we want to thank and reward them for their hardworking fundraising efforts.”
A photo album from the evening is available to view here.
To find out more about Boys’ Brigade World Mission fund, please visit http://bit.ly/worldmissionBBGB
Tags: World Mission Fund
