To base camp and beyond

Team Rector Rev Dr Chris Steed, from the Diocese of Winchester is about to trek to 6000 meters, two thirds of the way, up Everest.

He is doing the trip in order to launch the fund raising campaign for the regeneration of St Winfrid’s Church, Totton, transforming it into a community hub for all.

Their plans involve creating a flexible space to address social in an imaginative, inter-generational way through creative arts.
Activities are already starting, including support for those struggling with debt (Credit Union etc), counselors, domestic violence awareness and cancer support.

The price tab for the transformation will not see much change from £2.5M. Church a nd community sponsorship is being sought for at least 10% of this sum through crowd funding, fund-raising activities and making full use of the potential the church has for concerts and conferences. It is hoped that the balance will be made up from investors and grant-making bodies.

The Everest trip follows a week of addresses and lectures in India. Chris is about to bring out a book about the way that contemporary society misrepresents the value and worth of human beings in an age when everything is a commodity.