Hi Everyone, Mr. Parkes here from All Saints'. On Friday 12th February I will be running a marathon - with the help of the All Saints' staff, raising money for The Raft Foundation. As part of the run, I will be visiting all seven of All Saints' feeder primary schools across the Rossendale Valley. I will have to visit them in a slightly peculiar order so that I complete the full 26.2 miles required for the marathon.

This means that I will be leaving All Saints' on the school bell at 8.30am before heading to Our Lady and St. Anselms, then onto St Joseph's, Stacksteads and St. Mary's, Bacup. From there I will head to St. Peter's, Newchurch and St. Veronica's, Helmshore. I will complete my run with visits to St. James The Less, Rawtenstall and St. Mary's, Haslingden before returning to All Saints' hopefully for the final bell at 2.40pm.

My target is to raise £5000 for The Raft Foundation who work tirelessly to support the people of Rossendale who are most in need.

The Raft Foundation, 100% volunteer based, delivers food parcels throughout the whole of Rossendale. Each parcel contains food sufficient for 3 meals a day for 7 days for every member of the household. Each parcel contains fresh food items including fruit and vegetables to promote healthy eating even during the most difficult of times and where needed parcels are adapted to accommodate food allergies, intolerances and needs such as vegan and vegetarian items. Every parcel includes toiletries such as shampoo, soap, toothpaste, shower gel and sanitary pads with nappies and pet food included where needed. Since Covid19 arrived weekly total meals delivered have increased to up to 2,500 in one week with all the work undertaken by volunteers collecting and delivering to neighbours experiencing hard times in their own cars. Every parcel is packed with care including special occasion and seasonal extras such as Christmas gifts (over 2000 gifts were delivered in December 2020), birthday gifts, new baby welcome packs and soon to be included Mothers Day gifts, then Easter Eggs followed by Fathers day gifts. Each parcel is intended to share a message of Hope and Care from neighbour to neighbour.

I would be so grateful if you could sponsor me and donate to such a worthy cause. Many thanks. Mr. Parkes.