Mayor’s Annual Prayer Breakfast

The annual Town Hall Prayer Breakfast, hosted by the Mayor of Macclesfield, Cllr Beverley Dooley, and organised by HOPE in North East Cheshire, was held recently.

Now in its 13th year, the Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast is an important opportunity to thank local organisations that make such a positive difference in the communities in and around Macclesfield.

As well as recognising and celebrating the achievements of these important groups, the Prayer Breakfast brings them together to actively discuss how they can have an even greater impact in the community, and further promote their positive work in the local area. HOPE In North East Cheshire volunteer Rhona Marshall led the Prayer Breakfast Host Team for the last time, having instigated the Prayer Breakfast in 2006 and organised it throughout the last thirteen years.

This year’s impressive event was attended by representatives from local health services, schools, the police (including Macclesfield’s new Chief Inspector, Laura Marler), Macclesfield MP David Rutley and businesses, as well as councillors, faith leaders and volunteers from many much-valued local charities and Churches.

Attendees were updated on the positive work of a number of the charities supported by HOPE to help vulnerable people within local communities. These included Just Drop-In, which provides support and counselling to local 12-25 year olds to help them ‘find their feet’, and the Cre8 Youth and Community Programme, which works to empower young people on the Moss Rose Estate. Presentations and prayers were also given on behalf of Winter Hope Accommodation in Macclesfield (WHAM), providing overnight shelter to homeless men in Macclesfield town centre during the winter months; Treehouse Food Kitchen, which provides meals, clothing and bedding for the homeless and socially isolated; and Refugees Welcome, which works with the local Syrian refugee resettlement programme.

The annual Prayer Breakfast is organised by HOPE in North East Cheshire, representing thirty-nine Churches of many denominations in Macclesfield and Bollington and the surrounding villages, working together in their communities. If any local resident would like to get involved in HOPE or any of these initiatives, they are invited to contact Pip Mosscrop at pipmosscrop2@yahoo.co.uk