'More than Gold' launch

Monday 26th February 2007 saw the launch of 'More than Gold', a charitable company creating a partnership of Christian Churches and organisations to serve sport and the community. More Than Gold will build on the experience of the Churches’ support of the 2002 Commonwealth Games and is seeking to serve forthcoming major sporting events like the Grand Depart of the Tour de France, the World Gymnastics Championship 2009, the Ryder Cup 2010, the FIFA World Cup 2010 and the Olympic and Paralympic Games in London 2012 – and potentially the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and the World Cup in 2018.

The Olympics Minister, Rt Hon Tessa Jowell, was present to speak at the launch and also hear from the Churches their desire to be of service to the thousands of sports men and women and visitors who will attend the various events. The Archbishop of Canterbury, the Cardinal Archbishop of Westminster and Baroness Kathleen Richardson (a former Free Churches Moderator), along with Revd Bill Snelson (General Secretary of Churches Together in England) and Revd Joel Edwards of the Evangelical Alliance, all pledged the support of the Christian community to delivering the four aims of More than Gold:

§ helping to provide an experience of a lifetime for athletes competing in major events in the UK

§ ensuring sporting event leave a lasting legacy for sport in Britain

§ benefiting the community through sport

§ supporting the organisers of major events and the athletes, their families, volunteers and visitors

The launch event also heard the announcement of Brian Mawhinney as the Chair of the new organisation. He further outlined the goals of the organisation.  The launch of www.morethangold.org.uk was announced.

More than Gold is a partnership between the Roman Catholic Diocese of Brentwood, Churches Together in England, Soul in the City London, the Afro-Caribbean Evangelical Alliance, the Evangelical Alliance, The Peace Alliance, Christians in Sport, the London Churches Group and Transform Newham. 

A number of Newham churches leaders were at the event including Monsignor John Armitage (Vicar General of the Brentwood Diocese), who welcomed everyone.  Elizabeth Watherston, Transform Newham's Youth Co-ordinator, rounded off the meeting with a vote of thanks to all involved.  Young people from St Bonaventure's School enjoyed having their photos taken with the Archbishop of Cantebury and Gavin Peacock, ex-footballer!!