THANK you to readers who responded to last week’s appeal to boost donations to this year’s Church Times Train-A-Priest (TAP) Fund: donations have risen over the past week to a total of nearly £20,000.

But we are still some way off matching last year’s total of just over £50,000.

Remember, every penny given to TAP goes to help people training for the priesthood who experience unexpected hardship.

On last week’s Church Times Podcast, the editor, Paul Handley, spoke of the “unexpected and troubling expenses” that can come up during ordination training, such as a car breaking down, a child falling ill, or a partner being unable to work.

In such cases, ordinands can receive a payment from the TAP Fund “almost instantly”, he said. “We know of people who have been able to carry on their course because of this financial help.”

How to give:

GIVING online is the easiest means of donating to TAP, and saves us time in processing payments. Simply visit www.churchtimes.co.uk/train-a-priest-fund. The instructions there are clear, and there is a link to a secure page for donations. There is also a downloadable leaflet about TAP, to print and distribute in your church.

Otherwise, we accept cheques, postal orders, cash, and charity cheques, which should be sent to: TAP Fund, Church Times, 13a Hellesdon Park Road, Norwich NR6 5DR.

If you would like an acknowledgement, please enclose a stamped addressed envelope. UK taxpayers: please boost your donation by making a Gift Aid declaration. Again, this can be done online.