THE Archbishop of York is expanding an online charity to help needy Christians across England.

The Acts435.co.uk website, which aims to obtain grants for necessities such as cookers, fridges, boilers and washing machines, is to become a national charity after a successful pilot period in Yorkshire.

Dr John Sentamu, who founded the charity, said last night the time had come for it to help neglected communities across England as the economic outlook appeared to be “very bleak”.

“The Church should always reach out to those who are hurting,” he said. “The Bible tells us that we are all one body. When we stub our toe, the whole body bends over to see what is wrong.”

Acts 435 enables parishioners to register requests for help online, once they have been authorised by a local vicar, and for people to make donations to needy individuals of their choosing.

“Local churches have always been able to offer spiritual support, but now, thanks to Acts 435, they can also offer financial support,” said Dr Sentamu.

One example locally has seen donors fund a bed for parents struggling to furnish a house.

The couple had been sleeping on the floor for nearly a year having made sure the children had the essentials first.

Another family received help towards an educational school trip to Europe for their child.

The maximum value of a request is £100 with the number of requests is limited to three a year.