Jam sales raise over £4K

Ann Donnelly and Joan Skelton at their jam and marmalade stall at Our Lady and St Edmund’s Church in Backworth, North Tyneside. Sales have benefited the International Refugee Trust by £4470. Photograph by Gerry Latimer from Northern CrossNorthern Cross, a catholic newspaper for the diocese of Hexham and Newcastle in North East England, reported on the fundraising efforts of two very special IRT supporters.  Mrs Ann Donnelly and Mrs Joan Skelton from Backworth, North Tyneside have been selling home made jam in their local parishes since 2003, raising an astounding amount of money each year to support various IRT projects.

Gerry Latimer from Northern Cross explains that the ladies were "moved by an appeal from IRT to equip a Mobile Clinic for work with refugees in Africa".  This is when they came up with the idea to make and sell jam and marmalade. The demand for their home made produce "took them by surprise". They soon sold 200 jars and decided to make their first donation to IRT. They have continued to do so ever since.

There are many chairties that need supporters such as Ann and Joan, and IRT is truly grateful to have been picked by these ladies. Ann explained that she chose to support IRT in particular because "it has a small and efficient staff and the money raised does not go on expensive overheads but is all spent on the projects".        

Throughout the years Ann and Joan's production has steadily risen.  They are now bringing the jam to other parishes as well and, Joan explains "we are very green, too. We have recycled between 4,000 and 5,000 jam jars.” The fruit is often donated and their large freezer is frequently replenished.

Ann and Joan have donated to IRT projects based in Africa, Jordan, Thailand. Joan and Ann told the Northern Cross that by now they have made 19 donations to IRT's projects; worth a staggering £4,470, and over "two metric tonnes of jam"!

We at IRT are deeply touched by this wonderful story. It shows that the people we are assisting in our projects are not forgotten. We would like to thank Ann and Joan for their amazing efforts, and a big thank you to everyone buying their jams and marmalades. We are looking forward to having a little taste in the future!!