STILL within living memory are the times when Mothers' Union
members never congregated without hats and gloves. The tradition
seems to have been revived in Manchester diocese,
but with very different hats and gloves - not to mention spotted
green leggings.
This group of lively members, including the Diocesan President,
Cath Hilton, and the Revd Catherine Binns, zip-wired 250 metres
across the Manchester Ship Canal, starting from the Air Shard at
the Imperial War Museum and landing in front of the theatre and
gallery complex The Lowry.
Tweeting his support, the Bishop of Manchester, the Rt Revd
David Walker, called them the "heroines of Manchester Mothers'
Union". They were, Mrs Hilton (centre, in orange) says,
raising awareness of the Mothers' Union, "showing that we are
active and enjoy having fun at any age or ability; also to raise
funds for the Literacy Project and the Wheels Appeal".
They were met on the other side by members with banners flying,
and a bottle of champagne to celebrate. More than £1000 has been
raised so far, and they are expecting more donations to come
in.
The Literacy Project goes towards helping women in the poorer
regions of Africa to learn reading, writing, and basic numeracy.
The Wheels Appeal seeks to provide transport in the same countries,
to enable MU members to go to the aid of those in need - all
furthering the work done by this largest of all Anglican
organisations to empower the women of Africa.