Thank you for viewing this page. The heading might seem a little strange at first glance but, just as we have to pay all our outgoings and bills for our homes, so likewise we are reliant on gifts and regular donations to keep our three wonderful churches open and running.

​

Our day to day and recurring running costs

We are wholly reliant on raising funds through gifts and donations  to meet our outgoings – presently £100,000 per annum. Unsurprisingly, this is becoming a greater and more difficult challenge each year for our Parochial Church Council.

​

Our Predicament!

The closure of churches through much of the past 18 months has severely impacted the giving and donations we rely upon to meet our regular outgoings.  This has certainly been the case for Findon, Clapham & Patching, where many of the expenses we incur continue unchanged but sadly without the income to meet these outgoings.  The net result is a significant loss for the first half of the year to June, with the forecast for the full year to December showing a likely deficit of £20,000.  This will all but extinguish our current reserves - at least those available to us for keeping our churches open and available to the communities they serve.  Other reserves - designated "restricted" - very largely derive from legacies and bequests gifted through the wills of departed church members and understandably are to be used solely for the maintenance and fabric of our wonderful buildings.  We have a somewhat classic dilemma: of being able to ensure the long-term safety and security of our buildings at the expense of failing to manage the day-to-day upkeep and running. There are many - including a good number of folk who regularly attend church - who are under the impression that funds still cascade downwards from the Church of England: nothing could be further from reality. The direct opposite is in fact the case.  Presently our parish has to contribute circa £50,000 each year to cover centralised costs, including stipends, pensions and ordinant training amongst many others.  It is essential we regain financial self-sufficiency to avoid becoming a parish where at some future stage our continued existence might be called into question.

​

Can you help?

If you have not suffered financially - and for some the last year has been a time where savings have in fact increased due to the enforced lockdown - please consider a one-off donation or setting up a regular payment to assist in keeping our churches open and able to provide the full range of services and pastoral care to the community.  

​

Ways you can help:

• The Parish Giving Scheme

• Justgiving 

• Easyfundraising

• One-off donations

​

The Parish Giving Scheme ”PGS”

This scheme has been taken up by hundreds of churches to help raise funds on a regular basis with many meaningful benefits available - including from the taxman!

​

How it works

• Payments are collected monthly, quarterly, semi-annually or annually by direct debit (protected by bank indemnity).

• The PGS administration team collect and direct the combined amounts for each Parish and credit the relevant Parish bank account on the 10th of the month.

• Where donors pay tax and have completed the appropriate Gift Aid declaration, the PGS team is able to immediately reclaim 25% of each qualifying payment from the government which is also sent through to the Parish bank account in the same month.

 

So far we have 40 completed forms, and our aim is to become financially self sufficient by the year end.

​

This is by far the most efficient and beneficial way of giving on a regular basis. The scheme offers major cash flow benefits,

immediately bringing forward the gift aid element (thereby also removing the previous administration involved in collection),

and allows accurate budgeting based on a predictable source of income to meet our outgoings.

 

If you would like to join this scheme to make a regular gift to the Parish by direct debit, use https://www.parishgiving.org.uk/donors/find-your-parish/findon-clapham-patching-worthing/  (Parish code: 100610130)

​

If you would like further information, or help in completing the PGS form, please contact our Treasurer: Michael Drakeford – 01903 873601, or our PGS Administrator: Ian Hollyhomes – 01903 872475.  They will be happy to help.

​

JustGiving

We have recently registered with JustGiving, which enables you to make a one-off donation or to set up monthly donations to the Parish of Findon, Clapham and Patching.  Click here to go to the Parish JustGiving page.   

   

Easyfundraising

​You can now support The Parish of Findon, Clapham and Patching by shopping online!  Every time you shop online via easyfundraising at one of the 3,300 retailers, including John Lewis, Sainsbury’s and Booking.com, a donation will be made to the Parish, and it won’t cost you an extra penny.  It’s really simple to get started. ​​Sign up for free and get shopping.  Your donations will be collected by easyfundraising and automatically sent to the Parish.  It couldn’t be easier!  There are no catches or hidden charges and the Parish will be really grateful for your donations.  Go to the Easyfundraising website here.

 

A One-Off Donation

Payments can be made into our account at Barclays Bank, Worthing Branch.
Account name: PCC of Findon Clapham & Patching
Sort Code:  20-98-74
Account Number: 90691585

Please put 'donation' as the reference. 

If you are a tax-payer and would like us to reclaim the tax on your donation - increasing the amount by 25% - please call either Michael or Ian on the numbers above who will be pleased to send you a simple declaration for completion and return.

 

Donations can be made in church at our services where envelopes are available for those who wish to add Gift Aid; this enables the church to claim an extra 25p for every £1 you give. 

​

Thank you.

 

We are grateful for your support, however much you can afford to give and whichever of the ways set out above you use to make your gift.

 

Parish Support Group

Parish of Findon Clapham & Patching