‘We didn’t give up, we gave out’ - Cromer church completes Lent generosity challenge

Parishioners at Cromer Parish Church took part in 40 acts of kindness for Lent, including donating items to the Foodbank. Picture: courtesy of Cromer Church (Image: courtesy of Cromer Church)

Leaders at Cromer Parish Church decided that, rather than giving something up for Lent, they would give more.

�40acts�, a generosity challenge. Picture: courtesy of Cromer Church (Image: courtesy of Cromer Church)

Parishioners signed up to '40acts', created by the charity Stewardship, and everyone carried out a daily act of kindness.

40acts challenge during Lent. Picture: courtesy of Cromer Church (Image: courtesy of Cromer Church)

Throughout Lent '40activists' received a daily email with their challenge and a thought from the day from Christians, including Gogglebox vicar Kate Bottley.

40acts challenge during Lent. Picture: courtesy of Cromer Church (Image: courtesy of Cromer Church)

Head of mission Simon Fenn said: 'We wanted to give something back to our wonderful community at Lent through simple acts of kindness like baking for a neighbour, sending anonymous gifts or cleaning up our street.

40acts challenge during Lent. Picture: courtesy of Cromer Church (Image: courtesy of Cromer Church)

'It was a huge success and encouraged our congregation to positively impact their communities as well as stretch their faith. We didn't give up, we gave out.'

Parishioners at Cromer Parish Church took part in 40 acts of kindness for Lent, including giving out free chocolate bars. Picture: courtesy of Cromer Church (Image: courtesy of Cromer Church)

As well as doing individual acts, the church organised a weekly generous act to encourage their parishioners to stretch their faith, connect with their communities and make a difference.

Parishioners at Cromer Parish Church took part in 40 acts of kindness for Lent, including giving out free cards. Picture: courtesy of Cromer Church (Image: courtesy of Cromer Church)

The acts included packing bags at Morrisons, giving out free chocolate bars, encouraging shoppers to support their local foodbank, praying with people on the street, giving out free Easter eggs and just being available to listen to peoples' stories.

Mr Fenn added: 'The response from the public was overwhelmingly positive and encouraging. After receiving a chocolate bar and a 'because you're loved' note, one lady was inspired to donate furniture to the local foodbank community store and a man at the tennis club bought coffee for his friends.

'One 'act' at Morrisons collected the same amount of food donations in four hours that would normally take two weeks. One shopper bought a bag full of items to donate and said how much he valued the foodbank scheme as it really helped him when he was in crisis.'

Debbie Wright, head of content at Stewardship, said: 'Every year more and more people choose to do Lent generously, and use generous acts to demonstrate their faith in the lead-up to Easter. It's great to see Cromer Parish Church taking up the challenge and making a generous difference to the community of north Norfolk.'