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Norwich congregation go barefoot for charity
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| Alan Strange with the donated shoes |
A Norwich clergyman convinced dozens of his congregation to walk or drive home barefoot after calling on them to hand over their shoes for charity.
More than 200 parishioners at Holy Trinity Church, in Trinity Street, Norwich, looked on in amazement as the Rev Alan Strange removed his shoes during a sermon.
He then appealed to his congregation to do the same, and about 30 men took up the call and handed over their shoes there and then.
The mini-mountain of footwear will now be donated to the national charity Besom, which has a branch in Norwich and which helps those in need, such as ex-prisoners and homeless people, and sets up centres for victims of domestic violence and for refugees.
Alan, who has been at the church for 12 years and held the unusual service on November 4, said: "It was fantastic - a lot of people stood up and afterwards many said it was very moving.
"I think also it has an element of barking madness to it and I think men like something that's a bit eccentric because it's fun and it's exciting to be caught on the hop."
The unusual appeal was also praised by the Bishop of Norwich, the Rt Rev Graham James, who said: "I'm always in favour of anything which collects for charity and considers the needs of others less fortunate than ourselves.
"I welcome this initiative but I'm not sure my shoes would fetch much for charity."
Article and picture courtesy of www.edp24.co.uk
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