Did you see the Lions at Large auction has happened? For the last few weeks, I've been dreaming about Kingsholm having a lion standing in the grounds of St Catharine’s church, greeting people as they come by. Why does this feel important?  I think Kingsholm is an amazing place, but it's often been a place that's been overlooked or looked down on. That's not how I see it. So in part, I want us to have a lion that symbolizes hope and aspiration for this part of the city, the quiet strength and resilience that so many have in the face of life's challenges. St Catharine's is also the church that has the hospital in the parish. The auction of these lions has been to raise money for a brilliant new facility that will support and give hope to those journeying with cancer. Every day, 1000s of people come past St Catharine's, either on the bus, to and from the hospital, in and out of Gloucester. And so many of those lives are touched by cancer in some way. So I would love us as a community to have a lion on the corner speaking words of hope and strength, resilience, courage to the people who come by.

We've taken a step of faith as a church and successfully bid £8,000 for this wonderful lion, who stands for strength from within even in the wildest storms, but we really need the help of the community now to bring him here and settle him in. Will you join in with us doing this together so we raise half the money from the community? It's for a great cause, and I hope will give a powerful message to all who see him. Please donate what you can and share the link! Thanks!