ACN compete in the British 10k London Run

ACN staff and friends did an excellent job this weekend as they participated in the British 10K London run despite the crowds and gloomy weather.

Aid to the Church in Need team members John Pontifex, who is ACN UK’s Head of Press and Information, Kathy Hodgson, Marie Foster and Juan Aguila completed the challenge in aid of raising money to support projects in Syria.

The team have so far raised nearly £2,700 towards their £3,000 target to help to provide emergency support for Christians and others in northern Syria.

The group from ACN were among more than 20,000 who ran past London landmarks such as the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey and Trafalgar Square, before crossing the finish line at Whitehall, just past 10 Downing Street.

The ACN team would like to extend their thanks to all that have sponsored them so far, with one team member describing the amount raised to date as “absolutely astonishing”. 

The money will go towards providing fuel, oil, gas, electricity and rental costs for displaced families in Aleppo and Hassake, two Syrian cities which have often been on the front-line of conflict between government and rebel forces.

For information about ACN’s work in Syria, visit www.acnuk.org/syriacrisis or go to https://www.justgiving.com/team-acn/



Kathy Hodgson & John Pontifex



Juan Aguila

ACN staff and friends to compete for a second time in the British10K London run this weekend.

Staff and friends of Aid to the Church in Need will be dusting off their running shoes again this year as they compete for the second year in a row in the British 10K London run.

ACN UK’s Head of Press and Information John Pontifex will be joined by supporters Kathy, Maria and Juan on Sunday 12^th July to raise money for suffering families in Syria.

Mr Pontifex, who has witnessed the suffering in Syria first hand and is running his fourth race for ACN, said the run was an important way to raise awareness as well as funds.

“The weather’s threatening rain just when we’re running so it’s going to be a bit of a challenge. We’re so close to our final fund-raising target so any last donations would be very gratefully received.”

Families in Syria affected by the violence have been forced to leave their homes and villages and it is thought that as many as 4 million people are internally displaced in the country.

Houses, schools and places of worship have been have been bombed as they are driven out by the Islamic terrorist organisation, Daesh (IS).

As a priority country, ACN has been able to offer emergency aid for displaced people in Syria including food, shelter and pastoral support.

Since the outbreak of the Syrian civil war in 2011, ACN provided more than £8.5 million (12 million euros) helping the Church in Syria and Iraq.

Marking the 15^th anniversary of the run this year, the route has been adapted to incorporate even more iconic London landmarks including Oxford Circus, St. James's Palace and Big Ben before finishing at Royal Horse Guards & Banqueting House after a final run past the Prime Minister’s residence in Downing Street.

Runners who complete the race will be awarded with a special medal commissioned to mark the anniversary  described as “the best finishers medal of any road race I have ever seen in over 40 years of being involved in athletics” by Event Founder & Director Mike O’Reilly.

ACN has already reached more than 80% of £3,000 target in sponsorship to support future projects in Syria.

If you would like to make a contribution before Sunday’s run, please visit the ACN British 10K London Run 2015 page at https://www.justgiving.com/Team-ACN/ or text LHUU78 to 70070 to donate.

 

Fr Ziad Hilal remembers his kidnapped colleague, Fr Jacques Mourad, in an interview with ACN

Jesuit priest and key project partner Fr. Ziad Hilal, friend of kidnapped Fr. Jacques Mourad, visited the ACN UK offices last Friday and spoke movingly about his missing colleague.

Describing Fr. Mourad as a “figure of leadership” for both Christians and Muslims in Syria, he begged for his friend’s safe return.

He said: “Please, let him go free because he is a good man. He wanted to help the Syrian people.”

Fr. Mourad was kidnapped by armed masked men on 21 May along with a companion. Their whereabouts are still unknown.

Fr. Mourad had lived and worked at the monastery of Mar Elian in Qaryatayn and in the hours before his abduction, had sent an email to ACN thanking the charity and its benefactors for their ongoing support.

Since the end of 2011, ACN has been able to donate more £71,000 (100,000 euros) to help displaced Syrians at the monastery of Mar Elian and has provided more than £8.5 million (12 million euros) in aid for the Church in Syria and Iraq.

Please continue to pray for the safe return of Fr. Jacques Mourad and his companion. If you share his story, you can tweet us at @acn_uk using the hashtag #PrayingForFatherMourad.