Bude Methodist Church is celebrating receiving £1,500 as part of specialist insurer Methodist Insurance’s 150th anniversary.

To celebrate the milestone the oldest insurance company in the country launched its Celebration Awards to give a total of £22,500 to 15 Methodist Churches and the communities they serve.

Churches were asked to explain, in no more than 300 words, how they would use the funding to support their church’s work and how it will benefit the local community.

Hundreds of entries were submitted to the competition, demonstrating how Methodist Churches are providing vital support to communities struggling to cope with the cost-of-living crisis while still recovering from the impact of the pandemic. Bude Methodist Church set up a Lego Café to bring people from across the community together after receiving donations from the public to their ‘Lego in the Loft’ campaign.

The café attracts children and their carers and provides struggling families with a free activity to join in with while receiving support for mental health or financial issues they may be experiencing.

Debbie Marsh, Deacon at Bude Methodist Church, said: “When we opened for the first time we had people queuing outside. It’s just grown from there – we’ve had over a hundred children in on a given day, with their parents and carers, and it’s amazing to see.

“A hundred or more people need an awful lot of Lego when you’re running a “build the highest tower” competition, so winning the award was an absolute Godsend.”

The award money will help provide additional tables and more Lego and to enable the café to remain free.

Michael Angell, chief executive at Methodist Insurance, said: “It’s both humbling and deeply impressive that we had so many amazing entries showcasing the work of the Methodist Church.

“Churches across the country have been doing their bit and sacrificing their own time to help those less fortunate and to serve their local communities in pursuit of their mission.

“Congratulations to Bude Methodist Church on their win and I am sure they will put the £1,500 award to good use and continue their outstanding work.”

To read the winners stories: www.methodistinsurance.co.uk/150awards