Church Urban Fund will be at the forefront of the national launch of Redeeming Our Communities, a partnership between church organisations, the police and local authorities, led by City Links. As a partner of the initiative, Church Urban Fund will host an exhibition stand at the event, which will take place at Birmingham NEC on 13 May 2006 .

The event will mark the expansion of Redeeming Our Communities across the country and precedes the Church Urban Fund campaign launch in June. Areas in the North West , where the initiative began in 2004, have seen crime rates fall and communities transformed through co-operation, prayer and action.

“I am delighted to announce this partnership with Redeeming Our Communities, an initiative that has a proven, positive impact on society at a local level,” says Fran Beckett, Chief Executive of the Church Urban Fund. “The link between crime, lack of community cohesion and poverty cannot be disputed, and this initiative benefits the very communities which Church Urban Fund supports. The national launch marks an important step in transforming communities across the country.”

The event, at which 10,000 people are expected, will be an opportunity for people to celebrate the progress already made, share ideas and pray for change. There will be a large exhibition of organisations active in community transformation, as well as various speakers and sessions of prayer and worship.

For more information or to book tickets for the event go to www.citylinks.org.uk

ENDS

Editor’s Notes

Church Urban Fund

The Church Urban Fund supports projects practically tackling poverty and injustice in England ’s poorest communities. Since it was formed in 1987 the Church Urban Fund has awarded over 4,500 grants totaling over £55 million to projects.

For further information please contact Sara Stafford-Williams, Communications Manager, Church Urban Fund, at sara.stafford-williams@cuf.org.uk or call 020 7898 1647.

Citylinks

Citylinks promotes unity between churches, and supports prayer and action in cities around the UK and the world. Through "Redeeming our Communities" it raises support for initiatives reducing crime and its causes.