PENTECOST approaches: the day on which we close our Church Times Train-A-Priest (TAP) Fund for Africa appeal for another year. That means that there is still just time to make one last donation.

This year, of course, there is an extra element to our Pentecost celebrations, as the nation gives thanks for the Queen’s extraordinary life of service.

And 2022 is also the platinum jubilee of the TAP Fund. In the years since 1952, generous Church Times readers have given more than £4.7 million to help support the training of ordinands, originally in this country, and more recently in Africa via our partners at CAPA, the Council of Anglican Provinces of Africa.

Neither we nor CAPA keep any part of your donations for administration. Every penny given goes to help train the next generation of priests.

If you haven’t given yet, perhaps this is the moment you’d like to make a donation, or in memory of a priest who has meant a lot to you or your family.

We do appreciate every gift, large or small, especially at a time when we know household budgets are stretched. Thank you for your continued generosity. The running total this year stands at £28,415 at the time of writing. It is some way short of last year’s total of £41,433 — a clear reflection of the economic realities facing so many of our readers.

But those same pressures are being felt by ordinands in Africa, with far less support to fall back on. It would be wonderful therefore, if, as we approach the finishing line, readers felt able to express their communion with those ordinands by a final, sacrificial donation.

How to donate to the TAP Fund

We encourage you to donate online, quickly and securely. This is our preferred method: www.churchtimes.co.uk/train-a-priest-fund.

We will accept donations of any shape and size, however. Please make cheques payable to “The TAP Fund” and send to: TAP Fund, Church Times, Hymns Ancient & Modern, 13a Hellesdon Road, Norwich NR6 5DR.

If you are a UK payer of income or capital gains tax, the Church Times, through the Hymns Ancient & Modern charity, can recover 25p for every £1 that you give through Gift Aid. If you are eligible, please indicate this when making an online donation, or complete the form and send it with your cheque.