CHARITY auction in Rugby raised £3,500 to help people struggling with debt.
The team from Revive Churches in Rugby, who partner with debt help charity Christians Against Poverty (CAP), hosted the auction at The Merchants Inn.
An Evening With CAP Rugby saw guests support the auction led by auctioneer DJ Dan Sambell, and also hear real-life stories shared by CAP UK speaker, Jodi Bowring.
Karen Swaffield, Rugby CAP Debt Centre manager, said: “We’re so thankful for all the local businesses and supporters who generously supplied auction donations, and for all the people who came and supported the event. It was a wonderful evening, and we managed to raise a staggering £3,500, smashing our £2,000 fundraising target.”
Funding was secured in 2024 for two additional debt coaches to join the centre, enabling an expansion of CAP Rugby’s debt help and money coaching services to meet the need in the area.
Karen continued: “We know there is a huge need for debt help in Rugby, and thanks to people’s overwhelming generosity, we can continue our free services, delivered directly into client’s homes. All proceeds from the auction will go towards the Rugby CAP Debt Centre running costs, enabling us to deliver free debt help to more households through our in-depth and person-centred service.
“We are able to do all of this completely free of charge, thanks to funding by many generous local people, organisations and churches right across our community. This means we can help those who need us the most, particularly during this current cost of living crisis.
“This event has also given us the opportunity to raise awareness of our newly expanded centre and the free services that we offer. I encourage anyone living with the burden of debt to please get in touch.”
CAP’s new client report, No time to Lose, highlights that many West Midlands households are facing a debt crisis, and 8million adults across the UK are in need of debt help.
New CAP clients in the West Midlands on average owed over £12,385. They had organisations chasing them for payments on 13 different debts, with 46 per cent of their arrears being for priority debts, often for essential bills like Council Tax, rent arrears, gas and electricity.
Visit www.becchurch.org.uk/cap-rugby or contact Karen Swaffield at [email protected] to find out more about CAP Rugby. Call CAP’s helpline on 0800 328 0006 for free debt help.
