Villagers and visitors in Chinnor will be able to follow a fun-filled Scarecrow Trail on Saturday and Sunday, 24th and 25th September with the theme “Memories of 70 Years”. Followers of the trail will be asked to help those in greatest need around the world by donating to the work of Christian Aid.
Millions of people in East Africa are unable to grow crops as the climate crisis rages on. After the worst drought for 40 years, they are facing the threat of famine. Working through local partners, Christian Aid is responding to the crisis and at the present time is helping over 300,000 people.
The severe conditions are being made worse by the climate crisis and covid. Now, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has caused global food prices to rocket and created a global cost of living crisis. This is a crisis on crisis.
In Pakistan where climate change has brought unprecedented flooding to large areas of the country, Christian Aid is working as part of the DEC response, to provide medical and food supplies.
Organiser of the trail, Mavis Shortman said: ‘By popular demand we are holding our third Scarecrow Trail on the weekend of 24/25 September. The theme this year is Memories of 70 years. We have 27 participants and a very eclectic mix of scarecrows from Elvis Presley to Worzel Gummidge! We do have four royal ones which will be tributes to Queen Elizabeth.
‘On our JustGiving page we have highlighted the plight of those in East Africa suffering from severe drought and the relief work that is taking place in Pakistan.
‘Along the trail we will have a pop-up café at Chinnor Methodist Church on Saturday 24th September, from 10am – 4 pm, with the usual refreshments and takeaways which include bacon butties and sausages in a roll, plus a Fair-Trade stall with homemade preserves and jams.
‘With your donations Christian Aid can continue to enable people to build a life free from poverty and bring them hope for a brighter future.’
Phil Evans, Christian Aid’s Church Engagement & Fundraising Officer for Oxfordshire said: ‘The response to humanitarian needs in Ukraine has been remarkable. We must now urgently act in that same spirit for East Africa. We cannot allow this to become a forgotten crisis. It‘s not too late to save lives and prevent a devastating famine in East Africa.
‘It’s inspiring to see the tremendous efforts of supporters in Chinnor with the popular Scarecrow Trail, determined to help transform the lives of some of the world’s most vulnerable people, including those in East Africa and those impacted by the devastating floods in Pakistan.’
18.4 million people in Kenya, Ethiopia and Somalia are missing meals, or eating a less diverse diet. People are taking desperate measures to survive. More than one million have abandoned their homes in search of food, water and pasture for livestock. Christian Aid is helping in East Africa by repairing wells, investing in water purification kits, and dispersing animal feed and medicine to keep valuable livestock alive.
- £15 could provide seeds and farming tools for one household.
- £30 could buy hygiene kits to provide clean drinking water for 6 households of 5
- £50 could provide food for a household of five
Donations may be made at the Scarecrow Trail’s JustGiving page: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/2022-scarecrow-trail
