THANK you to all the readers who gave so generously to the Church Times Train-A-Priest (TAP) Fund appeal this year. The total raised is £63,165, of which £5937.56 was Gift Aid. This far surpasses last year’s total of £50,688, although earlier appeals raised more than £100,000.

Every penny raised will go directly to people training for the priesthood who, through no fault of their own, run into financial difficulties. Ordinands who encounter difficulties can apply directly to the Ministry Division, in the knowledge that their plight will be listened to sympathetically, and addressed immediately.

Church Times readers have been supporting ordinands and their families through the TAP Fund every year since 1952. The growing numbers training for ordination makes the fund more needed than ever.

Although this year’s appeal is over, the TAP Fund never closes. Please consider further donations; legacies are particularly welcome. For details, see online.