A vicar has raised almost £1,800 for South African street children after persuading his parishioners to give up luxuries for Lent.
Fr Tony Hogg, vicar of Hanney, Denchworth and East Challow, near Wantage, asked worshippers to sacrifice one pleasure, and to support The Pennies from Heaven initiative for the Don Bosco hostel in Cape Town.
Fr Hogg has worked closely with the hostel, visiting it twice a year. He kick-started the annual appeal by shunning bacon and egg breakfasts, raising £24. He said: "People's generosity and interest is most touching, and I can say, as someone who visits and works with the hostel, that all gifts are graciously received and wisely used."
The appeal was boosted by children at St James School in Hanney and St Nicholas School in East Challow, who raised almost £130 by filling small bags with change. A coffee morning raised £420.
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