Churches across the diocese have raised some £57,000 in just six weeks to help reach carbon net zero, as part of the Give To Go Green project.
11 churches took part in Give To Go Green, a match-funding pilot from the Church of England working with churches to double local digitally-raised donations, to allow for more work on reducing carbon emissions.
The churches taking part collectively raised 81% of the total fundraising target, amounting to £56,774 raised in the short six week fundraising window.
Five churches raised more than their fundraising targets, including St Mary the Virgin, South Elmsall, who raised an additional £1,850 over their target goal of £3,900, which will fund their energy saving project to implement an electric heating system in the church hall.
These funds were raised at a variety of different events, including a dog show and an acapella concert.
Kevin Gallagher, church treasurer and project lead for Give To Go Green at the church, said: “The process was energising, motivational, and occasionally exhausting!”
“We found masses of community engagement, and spontaneous team building within the church community as well as pride in success.
“One bit of key learning was that people still love a tombola!"
Holy Trinity, Rothwell had a high fundraising target of £7,500, and raised just over this during the six week window.
The church is aiming to install under-pew heaters using their funding.
Virginia, the church warden and project lead for Give To Go Green, created the slogan ‘Baby It’s Cold Inside so Heat a Seat’ to engage with the community, and raised just under half of their target in the first week of fundraising.
The Rt Revd Anna Eltringham, Bishop of Ripon and Lead Bishop for the environment in our diocese, said: “It’s wonderful to see our churches do so well fundraising in the Give To Go Green pilot.
“I want to say a massive congratulations to all the churches for their efforts, and how much I am looking forward to seeing the positive results of the works this money will support.
“I am thrilled this project supports tangible actions towards fulfilling our diocesan ambition of reaching carbon net zero by 2030, something that is vital for the protection of God’s creation and our sisters and brothers here and around the world.”
It has been confirmed that the diocese will be taking part in the second round of Give To Go Green when it launches, with more details to come.
The Diocese of Leeds piloted Give To Go Green with the Diocese of Exeter, to see if match-funded digital giving is an effective way for parishes to raise funds to decarbonise their churches and church halls.
The project is being run by the Church of England’s Giving Team.
Give to Go Green is one of a range of projects currently being piloted nationally to audit churches and schools, install quick win carbon saving measures and look at bigger ‘demonstrator’ projects.
Jemima Parker, Diocesan Environment Officer, said: “Congratulation to all the churches who have worked hard on their match funding campaigns.
“It is very encouraging to see parishes taking the opportunity to take steps to cut their carbon emissions and make their buildings fit for the future.
“The Give to Go Green pilot has demonstrated that parishes from a wide range of context from across the diocese are dynamically caring for God’s creation through very practical actions such as upgrading their guttering, putting in LED lighting or installing electric heating systems.”