GENEROUS Peebleans are giving up their time this Christian Aid Week to raise money for, and awareness of, those in desperate need across the world.

The group of volunteers work tirelessly all year round to help eradicate poverty in communities which struggle to help themselves, and challenge the structures and systems that favour the rich and powerful over the poor and marginalised.

And during Christian Aid Week, which runs May 15 to 21, they have a whole host of local events that Peeblesshire residents can get involved with in aid of this good cause.

Christian Aid began in 1945 as a response to the unprecedented refugee crisis in the aftermath of WWII, when British and Irish churches set up ‘Christian Reconstruction in Europe.’ 

In 1957, the organisation’s first ever ‘Christian Aid Week’ was so successful at raising funds and public awareness that it became an annual event, and in 1964 the charity itself took on the name of Christian Aid.

Local Christian Aid member Christine Drummond explained: “Christian Aid exists to help people in need, regardless of their beliefs – and the need is enormous.

“Over the years its focus widened. It now campaigns to flag up the causes of poverty and tackle these pre-emptively. The charity is part of a wider movement for social justice, with HIV/AIDS and gender-based violence being key issues. It supports long-term development projects and provides emergency disaster relief in situations like the present refugee crisis. And, sadly, the need for aid is now greater than ever.”

From Sunday, there are many opportunities to get involved:

Daily coffee mornings (with second hand bookstall) in St Andrews-Leckie, 10am-12pm.

Sunday, May 15: Ecumenical service, at 6pm in St Peter’s Church

Wednesday, May 18: Quiz night, at 7.30pm in St Andrew’s-Leckie Church. Make up a team of four to compete for cash prizes or just come along and be part of the audience.

Thursday, May 19: Home baking and produce at the Market Stall, Eastgate car park, 10am-4pm. Later a ‘Keep Fit’ gentle exercise class in St Andrew’s-Leckie Chruch

Friday, May 20: Bag Packing at Tesco.

Saturday, May 21: Plant sale in the St Andrew’s-Leckie Church grounds, 10am-noon. From 10am-1pm there will be a street collection on Peebles High Street.

And, of course, there are the familiar red envelopes of the house to house collection, which will be dropping on doormats across the town within the next few days. This year, instead of having volunteers call back to collect donations, Envelopes can be returned to any one of the above events, or popped into one of the Christian Aid boxes located around Peebles (St Andrew’s-Leckie Church office; Macfarlane Hall; Co-op, Old Town; Spar, Glen Road; Premier, Rosetta Road).

Volunteers are still needed for many events, or to help organise next year’s programme. 

If you are interested in helping out, telephone a member of Peebles Christian Aid Group on 01721 720020