Churches Together in Groby undertake a variety of activities together in their local community and have run a successful Christian Aid Week campaign for many years.
It’s a bit of a tradition for the ecumenical group to come up with something special to raise awareness of the charity, encouraging people to donate much needed funds for its work – and this year was no exception.
During Christian Aid Week (11-17 May), one member of the group, Christine Davies from St Philip and St James Church, decided to temporarily colour her usually white hair Christian Aid red for the cause.
As well as putting a smile on the face of fellow villagers, it also encouraged a flurry of generous donations from people, particularly the church communities of St Philip and St James’ and Groby United Reformed Church.
Smashing their target and raising more than £1000 for Christian Aid, the campaign was a triumph; but humble in her loving service, Christine is not letting it go to her head.
She said: “As Christians in both our churches, we know that we live in a very privileged part of the world having access to, and often taking for granted, the many things our brothers and sisters around the world have never enjoyed - yet, they hold steadfast hope in the promises of Jesus.
“We cannot solve every problem, but we can show love and care by supporting Christian Aid or other charities working in the many deprived areas of the world.”
This year, Christian Aid – which marks its 80th anniversary – is focussing its flagship appeal on work in Guatemala, in Central America, where climate change is causing the seasons to intensify and shift erratically.
As a result, farming communities have to battle severe floods and, more recently, ferocious heatwaves. Water sources are drying up and vital crops are failing, plunging farming families into hunger and poverty.