Supporting Tools With A Mission

Our Efforts to support the charity - Tools With A Mission

Some 21 months ago, we decided to help collect tools and equipment for Tools With A Mission or TWAM based in Ipswich. We had performed a similar exercise in years past through the efforts of Brother Brian, based at Saint John Fishers in Prittlewell. 

Last October, TWAM were present at our very first Community Fayre in 2016 when the public met them, took leaflets and even donated items on the day; a very nice sewing machine was one of the items handed over from memory.

TWAM at our Community Fayre in 2016

To hold an appeal that did not involve asking people for money was a refreshing change for once but not without its challenges. We lobbied several parishes of several denominations and individuals to come forward with items that they no longer required but for some people it was a task for when they got around to it. The logistics of organising a collection within parishes proved challenging also, with clashes with other appeals, clashes with similar projects already in progress and concerns about logistics and where would all items be stored before being collected.

We did receive support from across the Southend Borough though and in particular we had tremendous support from the parish of Saint Saviour's in Westcliff-on-Sea. They are a forward thinking parish brimming with ideas for recycling, helping others and bringing the community together all under the guidance of Revd Lee, so to have their support was both fantastic and reassuring.

Collected tools from Saint Saviours Westcliff-on-Sea

We put a very large sturdy cardboard box into Saint Saviours with a TWAM sign on the side which was overflowing with donations on collection and with other personal collections we simply stored items in our houses in readiness for the removal day. We also had donations of two sewing machines with materials and sewing accessories also from two very generous families from the parish of Saint George and the English Martyrs in Shoeburyness too which filled up an estate car with the seats down.

For our second Community Fayre last month, we made a table display with a sewing machine in the middle and several TWAM leaflets and newsletters to remind people of how they can help, and with the generous help from the parish of Sacred Heart, Southchurch, we were able to store every item collected in the parish garage for TWAM to send a van down from Ipswich to collect.

Tools in the garage waiting to go to TWAM

We hope the items help others less fortunate to grow and manage crops, make a living and support their families and community, and we are hoping to be able to give an idea of where exactly in the world the bulk of the tools collected end up.

Colin the driver in sunny Southend having loaded up at Sacred Heart, Southchurch

To find out more about TWAM visit their website at http://www.twam.uk/ or
follow them on twitter @TWAMGB or
via Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/toolswithamission

Standing room only in the van back to Ipswich