Charity carolling in Bridlington brings Christmas cheer to shoppers.
Christian Aid supporters in Bridlington are organising some festive fun in support of families living through conflicts.
The international development charity has launched its Christmas Appeal and supporters aregetting involved by taking part in carol concerts and holding collections during Advent services.
Bridlington Christian Aid Group is joining in by organising a day of carol singing at the Promenades Shopping Centre on Saturday, December 13.
Spokesperson Janet Padwick explained: “We will be out from 10am-3pm with singers from churches around Bridlington. Each church is doing a one-hour slot.
“We hope people will enjoy the music and support us with donations – it’s a lovely way to celebrate Christmas and do something to help others.”
The Bridlington Christian Aid committee also has a tree at the Christmas Tree Festival being held at St John's Burlington Methodist Church in the town until December 14.
This year’s Christian Aid Christmas appeal is focusing on the plight of the millions of people forced to flee their homes because of conflict, and the charity is sharing stories from communities in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the largest country in sub-Saharan Africa.
Millions of families, forced to flee the violence between multiple armed groups and government forces, now live in overcrowded, unsanitary, makeshift conditions with limited access to food, clean water and electricity. Vital infrastructure has been attacked, including hospitals, banks, schools and markets. The hospitals which remain open are overwhelmed and struggling to treat the wounded. With banks forced to shut for months at a time, those who can earn money are unable to access their pay, pushing their families into crisis.
Christian Aid has worked with local organisations in the DRC since the 1970s and is currently helping people in camps and villages who have had to leave their homes.
Supporters like the Bridlington group will be raising funds for the work of Christian Aid’s partners who provide cash assistance so people can buy essential supplies such as food, medicine or bedding; give people better access to clean water; and provide support for survivors of rape and gender-based violence.
Donations will help people with immediate needs – for instance, £3could buy the mosquito net that protects a child from contracting malaria. The funding also supports people in the long term to develop sustainable incomes which increase their resilience to the many challenges they face.
To find out more about Christian Aid, visit www.christianaid.org.uk.