Those who knew her are mourning for Xuan Wei (also known as Cookie) who was tragically killed in a cycling accident on Thursday 9th October 2008.  She had been coming to King’s Church for about a year, and recognised someone with a rare combination of bubbly fun-loving personality, deep caring, love, purity, and sweetness of character, that made her such a lovely, Christ-like, person.

Xuan Wei had regularly attended a house group run by John and Bett Wareing, and that housegroup had, in the last year, raised over £1000 for a tractor for use in North Korea.  Though the North Korean Government is vehemently anti-Christian, they have permitted cooperation on such humanitarian projects.  Another humanitarian project for North Korea, run by the same Christian Charity, is the provision of trikes (made in China) for use in TB clinics in poor areas.  The Church feels that it would be a fitting tribute to the memory of Xuan Wei if anyone who wished to do so would make a contribution to this project, and anything purchased with this funding could carry a little plaque commemorating Cookie – whose heart was to help people of any race or culture.

There are currently about 100,000 TB patients that we know of in North Korea. Most doctors will have around 500 people in their 'area'  which often stretches many miles from the hospital.  The norm is for doctors to do the rounds of patient's homes rather than patients checking in to a central point.  These trikes serve as ambulances for many.  They are a great help when roads are in such a shocking state of disrepair and as narrow as they are in these very remote settings.  Of course, privately owned transportation is almost non-existent in rural areas and public transport doesn't service these kinds of places. The trike will be owned and maintained by the TB clinic and an extremely useful tool to the process of administering care.  We bring them in from China along with basic anticipated spares and the shipping costs. Cost: £750

Anyone who would like to donate to this can send a cheque to Janice and Paul Marston at 143 Longmeanygate,  Leyland, PR26 6TD.  Alternatively they can transfer money direct to the account of Asia Link on Natwest Bank plc 01-07-65 A/c 07018797 – though would need to notify us of the amount and account name so that it can be allocated to this project.  Finally, credit card donations could be made by telephoning direct to AsiaLink on 01772 681618 with your details.

If you are a UK taxpayer please consider signing a Gift Aid declaration and sending it to the address above with your cheque.  This allows the charity to claim an extra 20p for every pound you give.  If you are not already aware for this scheme. The details are on http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/charities/gift-aid.htm.  To get a form please click here.