Jonathan prepares for New Year’s Eve sit-out

BALLYMONEY businessman Jonathan Gault is preparing for his now annual charity fundraiser - a 24-hour sit-out in the centre of Ballymoney at one of the coldest times of the year.

Jonathan, well-known from his family store Gault’s in Church Street, will start his sit-out at 11am on New Year’s Eve and will be in place beside the Ulster Bank in Church Street until 11am on New Year’s Day.

Last year the people of Ballymoney donated over £3,000 but Jonathan says he will not be setting any targets as he is just pleased with whatever amount is donated.

“The fundraiser is not just about raising money for ‘Fields of Life’ but it also gives me a chance to tell people about the work we are doing,” he added.

Jonathan would sincerely like to thank everyone who has supported this ministry during previous sit-outs.

He said: “The generosity of people is heart-warming.

“Thousands of pounds have been donated each year and every penny helps to transform the lives of people in east Africa.”

Jonathan explained he really enjoys the sit out on New Year’s Eve as he has never spent even one minute of the 24 hours without someone stopping with him to offer support, encouragement or food!

He mentioned that for the last two years the sit out did not take place on New Year’s Eve as it fell on a Sunday but this year it will take place on New Year’s Eve which is great as he loves to see the people call following their watch night services and maybe have some singing in the streets.

Jonathan said “Some of your readers may recall we visited an area called Amuria when we were in Uganda in 2012.

The welcome we received was amazing the children, teachers, parents and locals were so very excited they were out on the roadside waiting for us, the community is desperately poor but their joy was incredible it was a very humbling experience.”

Jonathan went on to explain that the school was just mud huts when he visited in 2012 but the new school has now been completed and the team are really looking forward to returning to see the children in their new building.

“Monies raised by GO UGANDA 2014 shall be put towards the building of a teachers accommodation block at the school in Amuria, a new school in Gulu and outreach work within the communities we visit,” said Jonathan who stressed that ALL monies donated goes directly to the work in Uganda.

Jonathan said: “I believe in sharing my faith in Jesus, in what the Lord has done in his life, through His death on the cross for our sins and His resurrection from the grave.

Also in living out that faith God encourages us in James Ch12 v18 where it says “and I will show thee my faith by my works”.

If you would like to help, please pop along to see Jonathan on New Year’s Eve or he can be contacted at Gault’s shop on Church Street.

Please also speak to Jonathan if you would be interested in joining team GO UGANDA 2014 to Uganda next year.

For more information visit the website www.fieldsoflife.com

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