Ballymena native reveals she’s leaving a gift to Christian Aid in her Will

Born and raised in Ballymena and now living in Bangor, Jean Thompson has been a Christian Aid supporter since 1994. She makes a monthly donation by direct debit as well as ad hoc donations in response to emergency appeals.

Since retiring from her role as a clerical officer in a residential home, Jean has had more time to devote to her unpaid work as the Christian Aid organiser at First Bangor Presbyterian Church.

Each May during Christian Aid Week, she carries out a house-to-house collection in the town, and after church on Sundays she holds coffee mornings and Traidcraft stalls to raise funds for the charity’s work.

She said: “I’m passionate about Christian Aid because they help everyone who needs it – it doesn’t matter what religion they are.”

Besides her financial support and her fundraising, Jean is also an activist, amplifying Christian Aid’s campaign messages on debt, climate change, taxation and fair trade.

In 2007, Jean and Andy took part in a Christian Aid march in London, calling on the UK government to introduce a Climate Change Act to cut the UK’s carbon emissions - legislation that was introduced the following year.

Closer to home, she joins in local campaigns, building public support for debt cancellation, fair trade and tax justice.

Last year, Jean decided to leave a gift in her Will to Christian Aid. She said: “I always attend the Christian Aid supporter conferences and last year, one of the staff asked us to consider leaving a gift in our Will so I decided to do it. It was very straightforward.”

Jean wrote her Will during Will Aid Month. Now in its 11th year, participating solicitors waive their fee for writing a basic Will in lieu of a donation to charity. Christian Aid is among nine well-known charities to benefit.

Jean has lived in Bangor since marrying Andy in 1968 but she grew up in Ballymena with her brother Ernest who still lives in the town. Jean was GB captain at Wellington Street Presbyterian Church and Ernest was BB captain.

Jean became GB captain at First Bangor soon after her move there. She and Andy have two sons - Peter lives in Michigan in the United States and Victor lives in London. What do her sons think about her decision to leave a gift in her Will to Christian Aid?

“They don’t know yet. They’ll find out when they read this”, she said. “But they don’t need to worry – they will be looked after.”

Deborah Doherty, Christian Aid’s former Head of Supporter Engagement, said: “Jean generously gives her time and money to Christian Aid. She carries out a house-to-house collection to raise funds, as well running coffee mornings and Traidcraft stalls. She never misses a Christian Aid conference or event.”