Replacement Boiler and Hearing Assistance Fundraiser

What Are We Fundraising For?
A New Boiler - Our main boiler is over 30 years old. It broke down over Christmas/New Year retreat, and although it has been repaired we have been advised that it will not last much longer. All things are impermanent! The main boiler heats the front of the building, including the main shrine room, front study rooms, library and café, which are key areas of the building.
The replacement boiler would be more efficient, enabling us to reduce our environmental impact and heating bills. It will also allow us to choose which rooms we want to heat, and to continue to keep running the range of activities we offer.

Hearing Assistance - A growing number of our Sangha are hearing aid users, or have hearing impairments, which can make it difficult for them to participate.
As a Buddhist Centre, our vision is an inclusive one, and we would love to continue to make the Dharma available to as many people as possible.
A hearing assistance system will enable those who are already actively involved in our sangha to continue to contribute and take part, and ensure that newcomers are able to engage fully too.

Why Are We Fundraising?
An Opportunity for Reflection: These two projects are fantastic opportunities for spiritual practice. Not only do they offer the more immediately obvious benefits of practising generosity in a variety of ways, but they also afford us the chance to reflect on our own relationships with the Birmingham Buddhist Centre, our relationship with generosity, and with the conditions we and the wider sangha need for successful practice.
Many of us benefit from the Centre in different ways- through attending talks, study groups, yoga classes, through the network of friendships that we have built up around it. For some people, the building is a space to meditate quietly, learn more about the dharma, read books, meet friends or practise yoga. For others, it is a place to explore new ideas, as well as challenge and transform themselves and the world around them.
The Birmingham Buddhist Centre is entirely dependent on the generosity of those who continue to support it. Without those who choose to become part of the sangha and give their time, energy and resources, we could not continue to offer the variety of benefits that we currently do. By supporting these appeals, you are supporting the Birmingham Buddhist Centre to continue to offer everything that it currently does.

How Can You Help?
Making a One-Off Donation: This is one of the most straight-forward ways in which you can make a difference to our fundraising appeal. In the first instance, it is best to make a donation by bank transfer to avoid fees, but you can also donate by clicking the link below. Please let someone know if you have done this, so that we know that your donation is for the fundraising appeal. You can contact the centre using the details at the bottom of this page.

Birmingham Buddhist Centre
CAF Bank
Account No: 00018791
Sort Code: 40-52-40

birminghambuddhistcentre.org.uk/giving

You can also make a donation by cheque or cash by placing it in an envelope and marking it for the fundraising appeal. This will help us identify your donation as part of the fundraiser appeal. You can then pass this onto any member of the centre team, or put it in one of the dana bowls or boxes on the wall at the centre if you prefer.

How Much to Give?: This is a question for each of us to answer after reflection, depending on our circumstances and what we are able to contribute. To give an idea, our campaign has been kick-started by a few donors who have given between £2,000.00 and £150.00 each- some people may be able to give much more, and some people may need to contribute less than this amount though. If you want to discuss your donation, please don?t hesitate to get in touch with any member of the centre team.

How Else Can You Help?
Organising or Supporting a Fundraising Activity: If you are strapped for cash, but are committed to continuing to support the Birmingham Buddhist Centre in our activities, you can also join in by running a fundraising activity. You can do this by yourself, or you could work on something with friends or your mitra study-group. If you are lacking inspiration, get in touch with Vicky to connect with others who need help getting their ideas off the ground. Collaborating with others can be an incredibly transformative process and very rewarding.

Make Donations for Free Through Give as You Live: By signing up with Give as You Live, you will be able to donate money directly to the Buddhist Centre when you shop online, without any extra cost to yourself. Sign up at:
giveasyoulive.com/join/bbc

Sharing Our Fundraising Campaign: You can help our fundraising campaign by spreading the word! Talk to your friends about why we are fundraising, chat with your study group about running an activity and encourage your friends and family to attend fundraising events. You can share our upcoming fundraising events, donations page and Give as You Live link on social media too!

You can contact Vicky at the Birmingham Buddhist Centre using the below details:

Vicky Beckett
Birmingham Buddhist Centre (registered charity 516568)
11 Park Road
Moseley
Birmingham
B13 8AB
Tel: 0121 449 5279
Email: Vicky.Beckett.BBC@gmail.com