AROUND 40 determined walkers from churches in Porthcawl are putting their best feet forward as part of Christian Aid Week 2024 .
The Holy Hike, or Pererindod Porthcawl, has been organised by Churches Together in Porthcawl (CTiP) and covers six miles, from Newton to Nottage, in aid of the annual fundraising appeal.
Leaders, David Robinson, Jean Humphreys and Mark Worrall, explained the route starts at St David’s Church in Nottage, and stops off at nine more around Porthcawl as well as one charity – Tools for Self Reliance – which renovates tools for training projects in Africa, helping to empower and give employment to poorer communities.
David said: “Every year, during this appeal, people across Britain and Ireland have seven days and so many ways to raise funds to support their global neighbours, in a celebration of hope for a fairer world.
“We are taking part by holding this sponsored walk, on Saturday, May 18, because it’s a unique opportunity for us to come together as churches of different denominations and to work together for such a good cause.”
Money raised during Christian Aid Week will help the organisation’s partners empower vulnerable communities to find practical and sustainable ways out of poverty.
This year’s appeal – from May 12th–18th is focussing on work in Burundi, one of the most densely populated and poorest countries in Africa. Heavily reliant on agriculture, it’s also one of the least prepared to combat the effects of climate change, including droughts, floods and landslides. The global cost of living crisis has intensified the challenges: more than 70 per cent of the population live in poverty and more than half of children are chronically malnourished.
Christian Aid has been working in Burundi since 1995 when it first offered humanitarian assistance to people surviving the civil conflict. Now, alongside local partners, the organisation helps establish Village Savings and Loans Associations (VSLAs).
These community-led groups mean people can save and borrow money, making small businesses possible, offering reliable and diverse incomes so families can eat regularly, get medicine when they need it, and build safer homes.
Christian Aid Week offers seven days and so many ways to make a difference –
to find out more, visit here.
And to support the holy hikers – visit their fundraising page.
