The Prince of Wales is to recognise the difference Christians are making to society through their contributions to Hope08, the national initiative to show the Christian faith in action, at a special reception this Thursday.

Prince Charles is hosting the reception at his London residence, Clarence House, to personally thank around 80 Hope08 volunteers for their efforts in demonstrating a 'million hours of kindness' across the UK this year.

His guests have been picked from the thousands of churches getting involved nationwide in Hope08, each choosing to serve their local communities through social action projects.

Manchester has been at the forefront of the initiative as churches across the city are on target to deliver 100,000 hours of the million pledged this year, through projects such as family fun days, free car washes, poverty hearings and regeneration work.

The Hope08 Board and Leadership, including The Message Trust's Andy Hawthorne, will attend the reception, alongside other national Christian leaders and the Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams.