Christian Aid Week in Boldon raises £1,500 to help the world's poorest

Christian Aid Week in Boldon managed to raise £1,501 during this year’s event, supporting efforts to help some of the world’s poorest communities to protect themselves from two major global threats.
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The money was collected within social distancing rules to ease the problems in Africa of covid-19 and climate change.

Those issues were the focus for 2021, when the charity asked supporters to stand in solidarity with people facing both crises, especially those forced to walk long distances to collect water for their families.

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Christian Aid is at the centre of a drive to help communities access and build water dams or rock catchments near their homes.

The money raised will help women like Rose Katanu Jonathan, who has to walk miles every day just to collect water.The money raised will help women like Rose Katanu Jonathan, who has to walk miles every day just to collect water.
The money raised will help women like Rose Katanu Jonathan, who has to walk miles every day just to collect water.

This means that some of the world’s most deprived people are spared a long and often dangerous walk to collect water, while families have an accessible water supply for crops, livestock and hygiene.

One inspiration for Boldon’s generosity was Rose Katanu Jonathan of Kitui in Kenya; a 67-year old widowed grandmother who, due to drought, spends hours walking five miles each way to collect water. She therefore has little time for other crucial tasks, such as growing food to eat or sell.

Five pounds can buy a shovel to build a dam, £10 could buy a pair of taps at a water point and £42 could buy 350kg of cement to build an earth dam.

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Rev Paul Barker, priest in charge of the Benefice of the Boldons and also vicar at St George’s Church in East Boldon, said: “Despite the constraints on fundraising during a pandemic, we were very pleased to raise £1,501 thanks to the generosity of the community.

A successful Zoom quiz was part of the fundraising effort.A successful Zoom quiz was part of the fundraising effort.
A successful Zoom quiz was part of the fundraising effort.

“We held an online Zoom quiz, which proved to be very popular and was supported with a prize from our local pub The Black Horse in West Boldon.

"We also held three services in church where we talked about the work of Christian Aid and why their work is so important.”

Tim Burdon, church engagement & fundraising officer for Christian Aid, attended the quiz where he spoke about the charity’s work.

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He said: “Thank you to everyone in the Boldons who generously donated, to reach this fantastic total, this money will help some of the world’s poorest communities.”

To find out more visit www.christianaid.org.uk

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