Generous donations at the Anglo-German Christmas Service support those in need in Paderbonr and former British soldiers

At the traditional Anglo-German Christmas service in Paderborn, visitors showed a generous willingness to help: over 3,600 Euros in donations were collected to help those in need. The collection in the High Cathedral was divided equally between the Paderborn Railway Station Mission (Bahnofsmission) and the Army Benevolent Fund (ABF) in the UK.
As every year, the Christmas Carol Service was organised by the Paderborn Anglo-German Club, the British Armed Forces in Sennelager and the Metropolitan Chapter. The popular service attracted a particularly large number of visitors in December 2024. At the same time, the event reached a global audience via digital channels: the live stream on the YouTube channel of the Archdiocese of Paderborn and on the Facebook page of the British radio station BFBS was a great success – as in the past two years, when up to 10,000 people watched worldwide.

Aid organisations deeply grateful

Felicitas Kniesburges, the newly appointed head of the Paderborn station mission, is delighted by the support: “I am overjoyed that we can use the 1,800 euros to help people who don’t have a warm home.”
Lt Col Barney Barnbrook, Regional Director of ABF The Soldiers’ Charity, also expressed his heartfelt thanks from North Yorkshire: “This donation will greatly support our work to help soldiers, veterans and their families in real need. Some of the people we support live in Germany – our help knows no boundaries.”

Great appreciation for the donors

Angie Reeh and Volker Greaves from the Anglo-German Club Paderborn were deeply moved when handing over the donations: “It is impressive how many people were willing to help those in need from the region and beyond. A huge thank you to everyone who donated so generously!”
The Anglo-German Christmas service not only touched the hearts of many people once again, but also provided financial help for those who need it most.

Photo: from left to right: Volker Greaves und Angie Reeh (both Anglo-German Club Paderborn) are happy to hand over the donation to the team of the Bahnhofsmission Paderborn: Felicitas Kniesburges (head), (second from left); Photo: Jürgen Behlke