MEMBERS of Mumbles Christian Aid Group are preparing to dish up a fundraising Big Brekkie as part of Christian Aid Week 2025.
The event, which takes place on Saturday, May 10, will be raising money for the work of the international development agency, which is this year marking its 80th anniversary.
Organiser April Beynon has been involved with the Mumbles group for 15 years – and with a group Bedfordshire before that – and remembers the 75th anniversary of Christian Aid.
She said: “I’ve supported Christian Aid for many decades; it’s an organisation close to my heart. I remember knitting, campaigning to ‘Drop the Debt’, and setting up Fair Trade stalls – not to mention the 75th anniversary service with former Archbishop of Wales Rowan Williams.
“We’re delighted to be marking the 80th and fundraising once again for Christian Aid Week. Our Big Brekkie is £5 per person for a continental breakfast of pastries, fruit, coffee or tea etc and all are very, very welcome!”
The Mumbles group – one of the first to be set up in Wales – was founded in 1948 by Gwynn Hodge, a member of Mumbles Baptist Church and a former Prisoner of War during World War Two. He had been on HMS Exeter when it was sunk by the Japanese in the South Java Sea.
He was taken prisoner and forced to work on the infamous Death Railway in Burma (now Myanmar). When the Australians freed the camp in 1945, Gwynn was taken to Perth before being able to return to Wales.
Once home, he said he had vowed to do what he could for those in need after being inspired by the kindness of local Burmese villagers who pushed fresh food through the fence of the prison camp.
He went on to raise almost £30,000 with a Penny-a-Day scheme, concerts and carol singing.
April added: “Many things have moved on and changed – including digital versions of the iconic red envelopes – but we look forward to the continuing generosity of the people of Mumbles and the work of Christian Aid.”
The Mumbles Big Brekkie runs from 9-11am, at All Saints Church, Mumbles.
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 11-17 – is focussing 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.
Despite the challenges families are facing, the unstoppable power of hope drives people to look for ways to push back.
Christian Aid has been working with organisations like, Coordinación de ONG y Cooperativas, to offer training and tools so farmers can diversify and grow more resilient crops, build water recycling systems, and create organic fertiliser.
To find out more about projects like these and how to get involved, visit the Christian Aid website.
