Christian Aid’s latest appeal, which enables people to give thanks for their Covid-19 vaccine and help others in crisis across the world, has raised £130,000.
Many people in the UK are feeling a sense of relief as loved ones receive their vaccines and finally have some protection against coronavirus. Christian Aid’s Give Thanks appeal, launched last month, allows people to act on that sense of thanksgiving and pass the blessing on, helping others in crisis who have little protection from the pandemic.
Funds from the appeal are helping vulnerable communities around the world access soap, water, food and vital health information as Covid-19 continues to destroy lives and livelihoods. Many communities around the world face an uncertain wait for a vaccine as questions remain around the cost, timing and extent of a global vaccination roll-out.
Christian Aid partners have so far directly helped over half a million people in 27 countries including distributing food packages to nearly 60,000 people struggling to feed their families after losing work during lockdown and the economic downturn.
Chine McDonald, Christian Aid’s head of public engagement, said: “I am absolutely delighted when I hear of anyone getting the vaccine – whether I know them or not. Each person protected against this horrific virus symbolises us getting one step closer to the end of this nightmare.
“The appeal we’ve launched proves that other people feel the same and want to pass on that good fortune to others. The donations reflect not just people’s gratitude for their vaccine but offer a clear example of their desire to help those for whom the vaccine is still not available. It has really hit a chord with our supporters.
“We are also immensely grateful to the Church of England dioceses and local church groups who have set up their own fundraising pages to show their gratitude as they receive vaccines. It is wonderful to see how their generosity towards those in the communities around the world in which Christian Aid works has contributed to this £130,000 total. As increasing numbers of us get called for our vaccines, we’re hoping that more and more people will give thanks for their vaccines by giving to our appeal.”
Going forwards, Christian Aid will support vaccination programmes in countries where it is operating by providing data on hard-to-reach populations to local health services and by challenging misleading information about the virus and vaccination as well as any stigma faced by those who contract Covid-19.
A donation page has been set up where people can leave messages of thanks for their vaccination and give to Christian Aid’s Coronavirus Appeal.
