EAGA Gospel Choir appeal £ for Community Centre

Greetings and warmest wishes to you,

We are the Emmanu'-EL Apostolic Gospel Academy affectionately known as the EAGA Choir, a versatile group that performs under the patronage of the Emmanu’-EL Apostolic Church based in Leicester. It is our deepest pride and mission to uplift the spirits of the communities that surround us. This is at the very centre of our hearts in everything we do and has led to an official recognition of our service to the community by The Lord Mayor of Leicester in 2015.

We have supported numerous charities which advocate various causes that are dear to both you and ourselves. Our dedication and commitment ranges from singing at the bedsides of hospital patients and residential homes to supporting the 2009 Special Olympics and the Lord Mayor's Appeal. We always endeavour to feed the joyful Christmas spirit during the buzz of the festive season by serenading the streets of cities for weary shoppers. In addition to these, we continue to support various charities which include LOROS, Age UK, British Red Cross, to name a few.

What are we fundraising for?

To refurbish an old working men’s club into a place of worship and community centre. In an effort to extend and continue our works of charity, we purchased this wonderful, old working men’s club built over 100 years ago, located on Saffron Lane opposite Aylestone Park to provide a centre for our beloved community and promote social cohesion and integration.

Despite the good work, we have faced devastating setbacks. Shortly after the purchase, we were raided twice by thieves who ripped down and stole 90% of the features and furnishings of the building. From roofing to wiring, leaving it in a worse abandoned, derelict state. Recently, in August 2016, vital building equipment we owned, worth several thousands of pounds was stolen from us (Police Report available on request). This devastating nature of the crime badly affected many locals and attracted the attention of BBC Radio Leicester (please listen to the audio interview attached https://youtu.be/vrWjgP7d5XA ). Having been built since 1901, the councillor for the Aylestone Ward called this heinous incident a, “Heritage Crime” and further commended what we are doing, seeing it as a real asset to the community of Aylestone Ward and beyond.

As a result of this attack, we feel it even more urgent to complete this project and are asking for your help to do it. Rather than giving up, we have decided to plead for the support of you all, our dearly beloved community, appealing for your assistance in raising these essential funds to build something for the community.

Several infrastructure needs completing including electric, disable damp, plumbing, metal structuring beams, fire alarms, ply board, plaster board, insulation to mention a few things.

What we have done so far?

We have contributed substantial amounts of money raised by the choir’s committed members, many of whom, have sacrificed greatly for such a worthy cause.

In addition, we are overwhelmed and grateful for donations we receive in most places we sing.

Despite such great efforts, EAGA needs to raise over £250 000 to undertake critical refurbishments to make the building safe for the community to use. Will you donate towards this goal today and give disadvantaged families/individuals in this area hope?

Why should you donate?

We believe in the good nature of our community and we urge you to please consider the benefit of having a centre like this in the community and helping the residents of Saffron Estate (not an affluent community but noted for its challenging reputation) and Leicester as a whole.

Share this vision, to reach the residents and make a positive effect in the well-being of this community using performing arts and other educational programmes. We desire to impact many lives; boost their children’s academic attainment, offer programmes that adults can take part and make a change within their own lives whether elderly, mobility impaired (disabled), those on some form of rehabilitation, and many others who are in need.

Your donation to this cause will help us provide a venue for the general public, full of activities which foster community spirit and enhance those struggling to cope in this beautiful life we all share together. Your donations received will be used for the purposes of restoring the building to a place of rich active service for the community.

It can be a donation of any amount. There is no donation that is too little or too huge. We appreciate and are grateful for every act of kindness towards this worthy cause.