In just over two years, the Kirk of Calder, in the small West Lothian village of Mid Calder, has raised over £76,000 towards the construction of a children's home in Tanzania!

Launched in September 2014, the Kirk of Calder’s project will support Vine Trust’s charitable work in Tanzania, and specifically the construction of a large children's home in the Kilimanjaro region. With the support of neighbouring churches and the local community, the Kirk of Calder is racing towards its fundraising target of £85,000 by the autumn of 2017!

The local community have organised events and undertaken a variety of fundraising challenges to support the cause. In addition to personal donations, the community has backed numerous fundraising events, including concerts by local choir “The Choral Highlights”, the “West Calder Brass Band”, “Mid Calder Primary School Choir”, and a George Formby Tribute Concert by the “Scottish Formby Group”. Together with his talented students and friends, local singing teacher and vocal coach Fred O'Neil has held two benefit concerts, and Strathbrock Church hosted a Bluegrass Concert featuring the “Mair’s Family Bluegrass Gospel Band” supported by “Albakirkie”. 

Teachers and students at James Young High School in Livingston have held fundraising dances and dress down days, while Williamston Primary School added their support at their Summer Fair. Local uniform organisations such as 1st Mid Calder Boy’s Brigade and 3rd Mid Calder Brownie Unit have organised several events to support the project, and Boy's Brigade 1st Uphall Company held a bag packing day at a supermarket.

The Kirk’s Community Recycling Clothing Bin and Tuesday Fairtrade Café bring in regular income for the project, while Rev John Povey’s Quizzes are ever popular - even if he is inclined to dock marks for spelling mistakes! Other key fundraising events include the annual Kirk of Calder Spring Fair, and the Kirk’s Social Club Variety Evening at Pumpherston Golf Club. Local businesses and grant trusts have also supported the project through donations and double matched funding of events.

The challenge of raising a large amount of money in a short time for Vine Trust’s work has certainly united this local community. The Kirk of Calder’s Minister, The Rev John Povey, and the congregation of the Kirk would like to express their sincere thanks to everyone who has made a contribution to this project over the past two years. If you would like to contribute to their fundraising and help them achieve their target by the autumn of 2017, please donate at: https://secure.vinetrust.org/fundraise/pages/kirk-of-calder-project