As all of our thoughts are on the Covid-19 situation, we wanted to share an update on Christian Aid’s response. We have been receiving enquiries from volunteers about how to keep safe when fundraising for Christian Aid Week. The health and safety of our community, including loyal supporters like you, is of the utmost importance to us, and we are monitoring the situation on a daily basis.
Many of you will have been planning for the Bridge Cross Challenge, house-to-house collections and events. Under the current circumstances, sadly, the Bridge Cross Challenge and house-to-house collections should be cancelled. In particular, along with many churches, events such as Big Brekkies or Lent lunches, where food is shared, cannot go ahead. We are looking at alternative ways to virtually meet, share and pray with supporters over the coming months in the likely absence of physical church services.
We are working on alternative plans that will allow people to take part in Christian Aid Week in different, creative ways – by post, by text and online that strengthen our communities during this challenging time. In addition, we will be providing advice on managing risks with smaller sponsored activities, street collections and delivery-only envelopes. Christian Aid Week is our single-most important fundraiser, so we would welcome your ideas on how we can creatively show love for our neighbours at home and abroad, as a community. Please call your usual Christian Aid contact or get in touch by email or telephone, see details below.
Christian Aid and our partners already have experience of limiting the spread of infection during the Ebola crisis, and we will build on this experience to continue to stand together with communities living in poverty during this period. If infection rates start to develop as they are in Europe, then people in poorer countries will be hit even harder. Many are already living with reduced health resilience because of extreme poverty, or in overcrowded humanitarian camps and in countries which do not have the healthcare infrastructures needed to combat widespread disease. We will be working on the ground to help prepare communities to limit the impact of Covid-19.
We are praying for all those affected by this new virus, both in Britain and overseas, for all those working on the frontline and for wisdom for our leaders. We will continue to monitor the situation as it evolves. During this challenging time, we all need to take seriously the science and advice being offered, remaining calm but vigilant. If you have any specific concerns, or questions, please contact us, either by email on info@christian-aid.org or call our helpline on 020 7620 4444.
I am keeping you all in my prayers.
With every blessing,
Amanda Khozi Mukwashi, Chief Executive of Christian Aid
Sally Foster-Fulton, Head of Christian Aid Scotland
