Christian debt counselling charity to double its number of centres to help the increasing number of those struggling with debt.
Christians Against Poverty operate a huge number of church based debt counselling centres across the U.K. As a result of the recession and the growing number of people forcing themselves into unmanageable debt they have announced they plan to double their rate of expansion in what they have named the ‘Ultimate Challenge’.
CAP (Chirstians Against Poverty) currently run 102 debt counselling centres throughout the U.K. Over the course of the next 12 months they plan to increase this figure by 60, doubling the rate of expansion and making this the most dramatic growth the charity has seen since its establishment, 14 years ago.
“In doubling our rate of expansion over the next year, we will be able to help an additional 3,500 people per year with our free, award-winning service,” said CAP founder John Kirkby.
Mr Kirkby spoke of how this will be a tremendous boost to all those who are living with the burden of debt and that he looked forward to an increased number of churches being able to open centres and reach their communities. He also confirmed that he would be running a total of 84 miles over a 30 hour time span to help raise the funds needed for the expansion and also for the continued work of the charity.
Mr Kirkby will also be joined on his run by two of his colleages. Collectively they are hoping to raise more than £750,000 and with £500,000 already raised, the ‘Ultimate Challenge’ has become the charity’s biggest fundraiser yet.
£210,000 was raised through the generosity of the charity’s employees and this included proceeds from the sale of a house. The charity also contacted supporters who helped to raise a total of £520,000. There is another £230,000 still to be raised before the target is hit the charity is still continuing its appeal for donations.
“Whilst we are almost in shock at how generous people have been in supporting the ‘Ultimate Challenge’ there is still a way to go to generate the necessary funds to underline our expansion.”