Good Counsel Network appeals for help

By Cita Sidhu A LONDON-BASED Catholic pro-life counselling group has made an urgent appeal for funds following mounting debts of over 18,000, which could threaten the future of the organisation.
Rita McCarrick, secretary to The Good Counsel Network (GCN), which offers support and counselling to pregnant women, said: "We have branches spread around the country but each is autonomous.
"We have one office in central London and we really need to hang on to it.
"Because these women are actively seeking abortions and not support or counselling, we advertise in the same places as abortion clinics and so our advertising costs are quite large. "Sometimes women are also looking for accommodation and work and so we try and offer that.
"If we don't get financial help, we simply won't be able to operate on the same level we do now."
GCN was set up three years ago by three young Catholic pro-lifers looking to offer help to women who wanted abortions and who were unaware of the alternatives.
Since then, counselling centres have been set up in Manchester, Leeds and Luton and over 100 women have opted to keep their babies.
Moreover, the organisation's work has expanded. As well as offering information about abortifacient drugs and contraceptives, GCN regularly gives pro-life talks across the country and promotes natural family planning and chastity.
Miss McCarrick said: "We would appreciate any ideas people may have to raise funds.
"The organisation tends to peak and trough a little bit. Covering the advertising costs is our main concern at the moment and our most recent fund-raising effort is an 800-mile sponsored walk to Rome, so if people wish to support that, we would be grateful."
The sponsored walk, conducted by a supporter, will follow the path of the famous foot pilgrimmage made by the Catholic writer Hilaire Belloc.
For more information about fundraising or supporting the GCN, contact: The Good Counsel Network, .538 King's Drive, Wembley, Middx, ILO 911) or telephone: 020 7723 1740.
E-mail: Clare@ goodcorinselnetwork.co.uk or visit their website at: $vww.goodcounselnetwork.(w.uk.