£200,000 Appeal

The Walsingham House Appeal

The story so far...

In 2006 Walsingham House was surveyed and this revealed an urgent need for refurbishment. The carpets were threadbare, there was some damp from a leaking roof, and the furniture was up to twenty years old.

After twelve years of use by around 50,000 young people most of the wear and tear was understandable - after all, Walsingham House was originally designed for seventeen religious sisters!

The Sisters of Mercy, who own the House and grounds, generously agreed to extend the lease on the House for another decade, enabling the possibility for a further 50,000 young people from Brentwood Diocese to enjoy a retreat. However, it was clear that the fabric of the House needed urgent and significant attention.

The Bishop and Finance Committee considered the issues and agreed to launch a Diocesan Appeal in November 2006, while loaning the money so that work could begin. The work was completed from November 2006 - January 2007, on time and on budget, and now you can view a full photo diary of the work.

Young people and group leaders now describe the House as "warm", "cosy", "peaceful", "relaxing" and "comfortable".

THANK YOU to everyone who has donated so far: the Diocese gave £50,000 from a legacy so that the Appeal target became £200,000.

By the end of November 2007, around £116,000 had been raised mostly from an Appeal at National Youth Sunday 2006 where a young person who had visited Walsingham House or participated in the Brentwood Catholic Youth Service spoke in almost every parish in the Diocese.

A further £60,000 was raised in the November 2007 Youth Sunday Appeal.

Now, £25,000 is all that remains left to raise for the appeal.

Again, THANK YOU to all those who have given so generously.

Please do consider a further donation if at all possible, using one of the means below.

Donations still needed...

£25,000 is still needed, and all donations are very welcome. You can see the difference that the refurbishment has made in the photos on this page, and you can donate at any Catholic parish in Brentwood Diocese - just mark envelopes "Walsingham House Appeal" (please make cheques payable to "Walsingham House Appeal").

If you are a UK taxpayer, please put your name and address on or inside the envelope and simply write, "Please Gift Aid this donation" and sign it. Our registered charity number is 234092.

Alternatively, please post donations, of any size, to:

To discuss larger donations, sponsorship or legacies please call Jane on 01268 696610 or email sitemanager@walsinghamhouse.org

We are a long way from our target, but if we do exceed the Appeal target any remaining money will be invested in equipment and resources for Walsingham House, and will also support young people in financial need to travel to Lourdes and other Youth Service events.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT.