Missio urges supporters to 'Think outside the Box!'

Fr Henry and parishioners

Missio, the Pope's official charity for world mission, is providing alternative ways for supporters to donate to the Red Box scheme during lockdown.

Due to COVID-19, supporters are unable to get their iconic Red Boxes, of which there are over 200,000 in homes across England and Wales, to their local Red Box volunteers or churches to be emptied.

However, COVID-19 has also made the needs of missionary dioceses around the world more urgent than ever, as the constraints of lockdown have added to existing problems of poverty, violence and injustice.

The Red Box is a vital revenue stream for projects and communities supported by Missio and the Mill Hill Missionaries. Last year, supporters in England and Wales raised £2.9 million through the Red Box and together with the global Missio network, helped people in 1,070 dioceses worldwide.

Red Boxes are usually collected by volunteers (Local Secretaries) through home visits or via their parish, but since lockdown this has been impossible.

Missio is letting supporters know that there are many ways to donate to the Red Box fund. Supporters can:

Send a cheque: made payable to Missio-Mill Hill and posted to Red Box, 23 Eccleston Square, London SW1V 1NU

Give online: www.missio.org.uk/redbox

Give via text: Text REDBOX 5 to donate £5 or REDBOX 10 to donate £10 to 70085. This costs £5 or £10 plus your standard rate message.

Donate by phone: Call 020 7821 9755 during office hours to donate with your credit or debit card

Donate by bank transfer:

Account Name: Missio

Sort Code: 16-00-16

Account Number: 10824230

Reference: RB+ your postcode

Missio is grateful for every penny, prayer and pound our supporters put in their Red Boxes. Fr Anthony Chantry, Missio's National Director in England and Wales said: 'According to Mill Hill Missionaries working in Africa and Asia, COVID-19 and the lockdown are causing real hunger and suffering, especially among those already living in poverty.

'Without any income for many months, many Priests and communities of Sisters are struggling too. They need our help now and will do for some time to come. Your prayers and the contents of your Red Box will help them reach out to the local community with the care and compassion of Christ. Your Red Box is a sign of faith and of hope for our global family across the world'.