Church marks anniversary by backing African well project (From Durham Times)

Church marks anniversary by backing African well project

8:30am Saturday 6th February 2010

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(0)

A CHURCH is hoping to celebrate its 850th anniversary by bringing water to an African village.

Worshippers at St Margaret’s Church, in Crossgate, Durham, want to create a St Margaret’s Well in Tanzania.

They were inspired by Jim O’Connor, a member of their congregation whose vision has transformed the lives of hundreds of Africans.

Just over a year ago, Mr O’Connor set himself the target of raising £18,000 to construct a well and latrine to help Africans left without clean water supplies.

Mr O’Connor set the target in memory of his wife Dorothy, who died of breast cancer aged 56.

Twelve months on, he has collected more than £115,000, has ambitions to hit £200,000 and plans to sink ten wells.

The Rev Barnaby Huish, the rector at St Margaret’s, said the parish and wider community had been inspired by Mr O’Connor’s extraordinary achievements and wanted to play a part.

“In this anniversary year, we are using the past and the present as an inspiration for the future and we hope to make St Margaret’s Well 2011 a reality.”

Mr O’Connor, 62, of Esh Village, said: “I never thought this would go as far as it has. But when you go out there and see how far people have to go even to get contaminated water, it’s difficult to walk away.

“Whether it’s for a church anniversary or someone’s death, doing this creates something that will be there forever.”

The announcement was made after Mr O’Connor and friend Bill Guymer gave a talk on the Dorothy’s Well project at the launch of the church’s 850th anniversary celebrations, on Friday, January 15.

A number of special events are planned, including a community festival and a flower festival, with proceeds going to the well campaign.

Mr O’Connor plans to sink two wells in Tanzania in February and two more in August.

It is hoped St Margaret’s Well will be created in 2011.

He is also organising numerous fundraising activities, including a coast-to-coast walk and climbing Mount Kilimanjaro.

Last year, Dorothy’s Well was given a major boost when two anonymous businessmen donated £60,000 to the cause.

For more information on the Dorothy’s Well charity, call Mr O’Connor on 07711-983252 or email jimoconnor@ utilityservices.co.uk.

Visit dorothyswellprojecttanzania.blogspot.com for more information.

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(0)