Aiming for record-breaking Olympic involvement

CHURCHES LOOK TO SET THE RECORD for highest ever level of involvement in the Olympics.

Thousands of churches are running events for their communities. These include large screen festivals which have an estimated total attendance of 500,000 people.

Family Fundays, children’s clubs, street parties, quiz nights, community cafes, special church celebrations and Holiday at Home for those who are housebound are also planned.

“This is the largest ever inter-church response in Olympic history and it will show churches at their best – serving their communities and the thousands of international visitors,” David Wilson, CEO of More Than Gold, the organisation which has spent over two years planning how churches of all-denominations can make the most of the Games, said.

Winchester Celebrations

Locally, at St John’s, Moordown, they will be joining the nationwide ‘All the Bells’ celebration on Friday 27 July with Ellie Waford from year six of St John’s Primary School ringing the church bells.

Over in Hamble and Bursledon, a series of London 2012 Olympic events are being run from now until October including a swimathon and a sportathon.

At St Paul’s Church, Bursledon, “We are inviting the local community to watch the Olympic Opening Ceremony on our large TV screen in the Church Auditorium with refreshments,” Bob Bax, Lay Chair of Eastleigh Deanery, said – and as an extra treat, Ellie Kirby, who was a Torch Bearer on 14 July in Southampton, will be welcoming people with her Olympic Torch!

Providing support

In addition to events for their communities, churches across the country are providing free accommodation for over 350 family members of athletes who would otherwise be unable to afford to attend. 300 Volunteer Games Pastors will also be stationed at the main Games transport hubs.