Press Releases
Ordinands Set for Shrove Tuesday Charity Head Shave
'Shave' Tuesday
Future Church of Ireland Clergy Go Under the Razor for Charity
On Shrove Tuesday (24 February 2009) students of the Church of Ireland Theological Institute will be shaving their heads for charity. About six ordinands will be having their heads shaved while others will be having their legs waxed.
The students are appealing to every parish throughout the Church of Ireland to collect at least one euro from each parishioner during Lent. The proceeds will go towards supporting St Francis' Hospital in Zambia through the Anglican Mission Agency, USPG (the United Society for the Propagation of the Gospel).
'Lent is quite properly a penitential season', explains event organiser Patrick Burke, a final year student at the Institute. 'But that doesn’t mean we can’t have some fun with it while doing some good for others. Shaving one's head is a traditional way of doing penance. Doing it with a bunch of friends in front of your colleagues and teachers is a bit of a laugh. And doing it for a worthy cause is the best of both worlds.'
Church-run St Francis' Hospital in Katete is the only source of healthcare for a large rural population in Eastern Zambia. Malaria, HIV/AIDS and TB have decimated the working population of this region and left many children as orphans in an area where most live at subsistence levels. The intervention of the church is vital because its broad network means it can reach remote rural areas that are frequently overlooked by other charitable agencies. USPG provides funding that is essential to their mission.
'It's a very simple idea', says Patrick. 'If one or two people in each parish simply take up a collection and send it on, a lot of money could be raised for a really good cause very easily.'
Donations may be sent to: 'Head Shave', Church of Ireland Theological Institute, Braemor Park, Dublin D14.
Contact Patrick Burke at: [email protected]
Further information: Garrett Casey (01) 6106447 or (087) 2356472 or Patrick Burke (087) 6309421
ENDS
Diocesan Communications Officer, Dublin & Glendalough
087 2356472
Contact Details
Lynn Glanville
[email protected]