Terry Waite and Santa join Emmaus Leeds Christmas Fair
Emmaus Leeds was delighted to welcome Terry Waite to our annual Christmas fair which took place on Saturday 15th December. The day saw Terry reading the Christmas story to the younger visitors of the Christmas fair. The book he was reading was later signed and was raffled off as a prize.
The fair was a great success and a very enjoyable day for everyone involved. At the fair itself there were many exciting things for everybody including a cake stall, raffle, the splat the rat game, face painting and children's crafts. Of course no Christmas fair would be complete without Santa himself, who paid the children a visit at Emmaus Leeds in his Grotto.
Terry Waite was held captive for nearly five years in Lebanon. Terry was visiting the country as a representative of the Archbishop of Canterbury to try and negotiate the release of some hostages but he himself was then taken hostage and put into solitary confinement. Since his release 17 years ago Terry became heavily involved with Emmaus and has become the president of Emmaus UK.
Terry also took part recently in a radio podcast which was recorded at Emmaus Leeds. Waite talked openly to Emmaus Leeds companion, Gareth Evans about his experiences in Lebanon as well about his early life and childhood. When asked about Emmaus ‘People can get themselves back into mainstream life, it’s a good model, and it’s a model that works’. Terry later reflected on being held captive ‘I said three things to myself when in captivity, No regrets, no self pity and no sentimentality.’
We would like to thank all those involved with the Christmas fair for all there help and participation in the events.
By Tom Holynski
Published on 15th December, 2007
KEEP ME POSTED! Sign up for emailed content alerts: