THE 2017 appeal for the Train-A-Priest (TAP) Fund closed last week. Taking Gift Aid into consideration, readers have given a generous £67,344.85 since the start of Lent.

Although previous years have produced a higher figure, this sum is more than ten per cent higher than the 2016 total of £60,191. There were no large legacies to TAP this year; so this figure represents innumerable acts of generosity, kindness, and sacrifice on behalf of the next generation of priests.

The Church Times has been running the TAP Fund every year since 1951. Once again, many of the gifts have come from older clergy, in gratitude for the help that they received from the Fund while they were at the very start of their ministry.

On behalf of those who will be helped out of hardship by TAP this coming year, we wish to thank the hundreds of readers who have contributed.

This year’s total will be given to the Ministry Division to disburse to ordinands who experience hardship during their training. But, of course, the TAP Fund never really closes. Any gifts received from now on will go towards next year’s total. Please consider leaving a legacy, of whatever size, to TAP. As the number of ordinands rises, so demands on the fund will increase.

To donate, visit www.hymnsam.co.uk/train-a-priest.aspx, or post your gift to TAP Fund, 13a Hellesdon Park Road, Norwich NR6 5DR. Please indicate whether your donation is eligible for Gift Aid.