Weekly offerings by Gift Aid is an important source of income for the parish. We currently expect to receive 25p for every £1 put in the named envelopes, which after diocesan charges is reduced to 23p. Geoff Ford is the parish's Gift Aid Administrator and he will be delighted to speak to anyone who isn't yet in the scheme but would like more details. You can email Geoff or he can usually be found after the 11.00am Mass on Sunday.
To become a Gift Aid donor, you must first complete a Gift Aid Declaration form. This can be downloaded by clicking on the link below. Please tick just the first tick box (not the second unless the parish has a record of your past donations). Once it is filled in and signed by a UK tax payer please hand it to Fr David or leave at the Parish Office (281a Crescent Drive). Alternatively, you can scan the completed form and email the copy to Gift Aid Administrator. We can then issue you with a box of Gift Aid envelopes.
As an alternative to using Gift Aid envelopes, you can make your regular offerings by means of a bank standing order but it is most important that you speak to Geoff before setting-up such an arrangement. You can, of course, make your offertory this way even if it isn't Gift Aided.
Remember, the 23p in the £ is gained by the parish at absolutely no cost to the contributor. Could Gift Aid donors please advise Geoff if they have NOT paid Income Tax or Capital Gains Tax at least equal to 25% of their donations during any one Tax Year as this is a legal requirement. VAT and local Council Tax do not qualify.
We can also claim Gift Aid on Mass donations. If you are a Gift Aider please write your envelope number on a special Mass Intention envelope available in the church porch.
If you donate by Gift Aid, please let Geoff know if you move house, marry and change your name, or if you wish to transfer your Gift Aid donations into your tax paying spouse's name, or, indeed, if you cease to pay tax entirely.