Hello and welcome to my page!

'HACKNEY HELPCENTRE URGENT REPAIRS APPEAL'

On June 13th I will be running 5k to raise funds for the urgent repairs in the UCKG HelpCentre in HACKNEY, yes some of you may know that I was born and grew up there!

I was born in Hackney and lived there for 17 years, I went to school there and was a witness of violence/gangs, crime and my family and I were mugged on different occasions. From a young age I was exposed to and very aware of the true reality of the activity in my neighbourhood, drug dealing, prostitution and murders, there are many people from my childhood that have died from stabbings and shootings.  That was 20 years ago, imagine how it is now?!

Why have I decided to raise funds for this organisation......

Nearly four years ago I was invited to the UCKG HelpCentre, at the time I was a single mother, depressed and very lonely. I received ongoing support and guidance which enabled me to make positive changes and decisions that helped me move forward in my life. It was a process and certainly not easy but four years later I am a completely changed person thanks to the help I received at the UCKG HelpCentre.  I have studied, been promoted twice in my job and enjoy spending time with my daughter and family, my life is completely transformed, so much so that I am now able to help others and give something back to the community.

The UCKG HelpCentre is a Christian church and registered charity that helps anyone regardless of race, sex or religion. It offers many services to the community such as:

- Free daily one-to-one advice

- Patient Care Group (volunteers that visit those housebound and in hospital)

- Youth Group (currently helping 70+ young men/women, volunteers include some ex-gang members)

- Senior Citizens group

- Support for prison inmates and their families.

The services above take place in the former Hackney Synagogue, a grade II listed building which is of high historic interest being one of the few London synagogues with two phases, showing the expansion of London's Jewish community from the late Victorian period, and an important shul in the history of Jewish immigrants to England.

The UCKG HelpCentre acquired the building in 2009, and following surveys and various discussions with English Heritage, it became clear that the building will not withstand another winter in its current state. It needs a new roof, a modern, more efficient heating system and urgent repairs to walls severely damaged by years of water infiltration - works will cost £150,000.

For this reason,   volunteer to take part in the Do It for Charity - 5K RUN in Greenwich Park on the 13th June 2010 to raise funds needed for these repairs to take place.

Please help me with your donation today. By sponsoring me in this event, you will be ensuring the survival of this historic building for many years to come and that the community work of the UCKG HelpCentre there will go on helping thousands every year.

I thank you in advance for your generosity and care for those in need.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

Kind regards.

 

Lisa Zapata - previously Hodgkinson for those who went to school with me in HACKNEY  :o)

P.S. I have made the first donation for the people in HACKNEY.