With covid restrictions lifting part of the Mary’s Child team took to opportunity to conduct a quick inventory of the furniture they hold in stock, before restarting their redistribution service.

The Reverend Charlie Lloyd-Evans explained: “Every fortnight we hire a van and coordinate collections from those kind enough to give us bedroom and living room furniture. We then deliver items to local people who have contacted us and explained what they need. Items collected and awaiting delivery are then stored until they are needed. 

We would really like to thank everyone who has supplied furniture in the past and helped with its delivery.”

Anyone who has previously loved furniture or electrical items they would like to donate and those in need of furnishings should contact St Mary Greenhithe office on 01322 382031 or the Mary’s Child direct number:

07776 273838 between 9am til 2pm weekdays except Wednesday.

‘Mary’s Child’ is a charity that was created to love, care and support families and individuals in need, by providing practical support, pastoral care and signposting to other charities and agencies as needed.

Founded by Rev Carol Avery, originally based on seeing a need in the areas around Greenhithe, Stone and Dartford, and now also supporting families in Peterborough, this Charity enables us to develop further the work of supporting families in a variety of ways. We are regularly responding to requests from the community, community organisations and agencies, as well as individuals, to provide practical support to families in need.

In Kent the churches of St Mary Greenhithe,  St Mary Stone, St Albans and St Edmunds in Dartford  continue to provide food to those in need, through their ‘Parish Pantries’, and  also provide  on-going pastoral care and support.  Storage, for the collection, sorting and distribution of much needed household items, is provided through the generosity of the ASDA Foundation.

In Peterborough, through the C of E churches  of Stanground and Farcet,  the work of the charity began in March 2020 as we responded to the needs of the local community during the Covid-19 Pandemic, responding to referrals from Peterborough City Council and via our communities and churches.  At the moment we are focused on providing food and toiletries via  our ‘Parish Pantries’ as well as ‘kindness bags’, a listening ear and liaison with other charities and organisation who can help in other ways.

In both locations we are able to offer legal advice and advocacy on housing and benefits on occasion.

We are committed to working in partnerships with others to improve the lives of those who find themselves in difficulty.

‘Mary’s Child’ offers God’s light, love and hope to those in need.