THE familiar sight of Christian Aid collectors will be absent from the streets of Whitchurch next week, but the charity is still involved with fundraising.
Next week is Christian Aid Week, but COVID-19 has prevented members of St John's Church fromm fundraising in person, so they have taken the campaign online
Members of the church have set up a Just Giving page, with a goal of £3,000 as that is the amount usually raised during the week by Whitchurch residents.
Briony Myles-Hook, from Whitchurch Christian Aid Group, says the money goes a long way towards helping less well-off people around the world.
"Usually you would see our collectors walking up and down the roads of Whitchurch, delivering the bright red envelopes and collecting your donations," said Briony.
"This year we are not able to collect from houses because of COVID-19.
"Instead, we have set up a Just Giving page so you can make donations online and help us reach our total of £3000. This is the amount people in Whitchurch put in the envelopes last year.
"Your money will help protect people in poorer communities around the world as they battle the spread of COVID-19 as well as struggling with storms, floods and drought."
A United Service for Christian Aid Week has also been prepared by the Churches in Whitchurch with a sermon by the former Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams.
This will be available from Sunday, May 10 through a link on St John's website and can be viewed at any time during Christian Aid Week.
There are also links to other virtual events on the Christian Aid website that have been planned for Christian Aid Week including daily reflections from staff and partners in other countries, daily quizzes and the Christian Aid Facebook quiz from May 2, hosted by Rowan Williams, Kate Botley and Giles Frazer.
The Just Giving Page for Christian Aid in Whitchurch can be reached via justgiving.com/fundraising/whitchurchchristianaid or from links on the webpage for St John's Methodist Church at stjohnswhitchurch.org.uk/christian-aid-week
You can also donate via christianaid.org.uk
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