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Sarah is a curate in the West Midlands, where she lives with her husband, Mike, and daughters, Maddie and Nancy.

Maddie was born with cerebral palsy, which means that her left side is weaker than her right, she struggles with her coordination and she gets tired very easily.

Shortly before her seventeenth birthday, she qualified to represent Team GB at the 2024 Paris Paralympics, in the 100 metres (T38) and long jump. An incredible achievement, especially while still studying for her GCSEs!

There was just one problem: with less than a month between learning that she'd qualified, and traveling to France, the family had to work out how they would afford this once-in-a-lifetime trip to show her their support.

Sarah gave us a call, and we were delighted to provide the family with a Wellbeing grant to help relieve the financial strain.

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Sarah, wearing her clerical collar, and her daughter, Maddie, in her Team GB uniform.

Their paralympic journey

"We finally heard that Maddie had qualified on 22nd July. She left for Paris on 19th August, and then we left on 23rd August, literally a month after we got the news!"

"We worked out how much it was all going to cost. We hadn't booked anything, because there's never a guarantee about selection, so we couldn't get any cheap deals, book in advance, or do any of that because Maddie didn't know if she was going."

"I think we could have afforded it, but we wouldn't have enjoyed it in that same way. Having Clergy Support Trust help with our accommodation and travel meant we could have a good time without having to worry about the money."

"The grant was super quick - I spoke to a Grants & Services Officer, and she said 'I don't know if you're going to have enough time, but fill in the Verification, and then as soon as that comes through, fill in the Application Form.' I don't know if they flagged it or something, but within five days, the grant had come through."

"It was one of those moments that we were determined to enjoy."

"It was such an incredible moment for our family to go and watch Maddie compete. It's the most surreal, but also the most amazing experience to watch your child achieve their dream, doing what they love."

"I found everyone at Clergy Support Trust to be really kind and helpful. I just took such a joy in it. I was so thankful for the grant, and the application process was really easy. Don't be embarrassed about applying - I was bowled over by the generosity, and it felt like the Trust really wanted to bless us."

"It was one of those moments that we were determined to enjoy. It was lovely to be there and not to be worrying about money at the same time. It was so nice to just go on holiday and have a good time, and not to be thinking in the back of my head 'we have literally spent all our money, so please don't anything else go wrong!'"

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Sarah, her husband and two daughters, standing in front of a Paris 2024 sign.

Serving those who serve

Last year, Clergy Support Trust provided over 6,800 grants, to over 2,700 Anglican clergy households. Sarah, Mike, Maddie and Nancy are just one of those households.

Not only that, but the demand for our services has quadrupled in the past four years, and continues to grow at an unsustainable rate. We're only able to walk alongside them with your help.

If you feel able to make a donation through the link below, to help us continue to serve the people who spend their lives serving others, it would be very greatly appreciated.

We want to make more magical moments, like Maddie's family making it to Paris, happen.

Big or small, every donation counts as we strive to help families thrive.

Donate to support our work 

See if you're eligible for a grant 

NOTES FOR EDITORS
Photo credit: Clergy Support Trust.
Video credit: Channel 4, @Channel4Sport.
Clergy Support Trust is the largest and oldest charity focussed on the wellbeing of clergy and their families.
The Trust, originally founded in 1655, provides confidential help for Anglican clergy and their families across the UK, Ireland, Isle of Man, and Diocese in Europe. The Trust are independent, inclusive, and impartial, and we support clergy from training through to retirement.
In 2023, we provided over 6,800 grants, supporting clergy households in the Church of England with over £5.5m in grants, Church in Wales with £172,000, Church of Ireland with £141,000 and the Scottish Episcopal Church with £36,000.
For media enquiries, please email our External Relations team at hello@clergysupport.org.uk.