A group of dedicated volunteers are set to head to the streets of Canterbury on Maundy Thursday to provide foot-care, socks and other appropriate items for the city’s rough sleepers, as well as some of those in the Catching Lives drop-in centre.
A recent coffee morning to support the initiative raised £400 and will go towards providing helpful packs for the homeless. Any funds left over will be donated to homeless charities, Catching Lives and Porchlight.
Viewing it as part of a Holy Week discipline, Rae Martin, who worships at Woodnesborough, said that the idea developed after she and her son-in-law volunteered at Porchlight just before Christmas: “We helped cut people’s hair and saw the difference such a small act made. As I have a background in pastoral care, I thought this might be something I could offer as part of my Holy Week preparations.
“Traditionally Maundy Thursday sees the symbolic washing of feet, so to be able to offer this act of service to those who will really benefit from someone’s time, care and attention is a great privilege.”
All the volunteers would be grateful for everyone’s prayers on the day. Anyone wishing to donate should contact Rae Martin via email on: ladyrachelmartin@aol.com