Katie has been a nurse for 45 years and works in consultancy and training. She has been a member of her church family for more than 25 years. She lives just outside the city and is part of a community which celebrates diversity and culture. She is particularly concerned with poverty and deprivation in her area…
“Every day for me starts with prayers,” says Katie. “I thank God for the health and happiness of my family, and ask for the continuing strength to help those less fortunate. I feel I am blessed with this.
“I very often chat to God about difficult situations that happen in the work I do and I believe he helps me to make sense of this and also helps me to challenge many situations that crop up. He gives me guidance.”
One of the ways in which Katie actions her faith and bears witness, is through the food bank she has been running with her husband, Jasper, for the last six years.
She was integral in providing more than 5000 lunches to children during the summer holidays and helped to raise money and give gifts to hundreds of children who otherwise would not have received much this Christmas.
“I believe being a Christian gives me strength and the ability to reach out to people who are less fortunate than myself,” says Katie.
“God told us to do this - that this was needed - and it feels good. Holiday Hunger was one of the most rewarding things I have ever done. You have to be passionate about what you’re doing and believe in it.
“I’m very fortunate in my life and feel incredibly grateful to God for that, but there is so much poverty out there and people wouldn’t realise if we didn’t bring it to their attention.”
Katie is driven by God. “He gives me energy,” she says. “People often say to me, ‘don’t do too much’, but every day I’m more and more inspired. It’s enlightening. God is empowering me.
“My voluntary work has opened my eyes. It’s given me the whole picture. I’m now involved with Fareshare, and I’m part of Feeding Britain, and Feeding Leicestershire. I’m also in the CFC group (Community Food Collection) and work with Tesco to combat zero food waste in all stores.
“I constantly see God at work - in the families I meet, in the smiles on the faces of the children we help.
“There have been times when we have had what looks like nothing in the food bank, and then food has appeared – God provides. I’m continually reminded of that. Things happen here. God is here, every day.”
This article was first published in Shaped Magaine in January 2019