Today at all Masses representatives of the Parish Finance Committee are making the annual appeal asking parishioners to review their financial contributions to the parish and to consider signing up for the Gift Aid scheme if they are UK taxpayers and have not already done so. Gift Aid increases the value of every £100 donated to the parish by £28, or, to put it another way, every £100 donated by UK taxpayers that is not Gift Aided means that £28 is wasted!

The main points from today's appeal are summarised below.

To respond to the appeal, please fill in the planned giving options form on this website, or complete the paper version of the form in this week's newsletter.

How to make regular Financial Contributions to the Parish

Each year the Chair of the Parish Finance Committee speaks at all Masses about planning your giving to the Parish and this is a summary of this year’s presentation.

• Every year there are changes which affect the amount our Parish receives from Planned Giving because people leave the area, they retire, die or have to reduce their contribution or become non-tax payers and so must leave Gift Aid.
• People also move into the Parish or feel they can afford to increase their contribution.
• Likewise people also become taxpayers and so can Gift Aid their contributions.
• If you are a taxpayer you can increase the value of your contribution in the 2010/2011tax year by 28% at no cost to yourself by signing a Gift Aid Declaration. Tick the appropriate box on the planned giving options form and a Gift Aid form will be sent to you.
• Unfortunately the last Budget contained provisions for a reduction in the Gift Aid reclaim rate to take effect from April 2011which means that the Parish faces a cut of nearly 11% in its revenues from Gift Aid.
• From the Parish’s point of view making your contribution by Standing Order is the most efficient way of making your contribution. If you can do this please tick the box and a Standing Order form will be sent.
• Don’t forget to provide your name and address on the form.
• However you make your contribution, your support of this Parish is vital to its work and is very much appreciated.
• Please read the planned giving options form and consider each of the points on the form. Do it now, please complete the form online or put your completed paper form in the collection basket at Mass.

On behalf of the Parish Finance Committee please accept our thanks for your unfailing generosity.