Teesdale churches raise £5,000 to aid central America women's project

CHURCHES working together in Teesdale are celebrating after raising £5,000 to support a special Christian Aid project in central America.

The cash raised by the Barnard Castle Churches Together group, will be match funded threefold by the European Union making a total of £20,000.

The project aims to support women and girls in El Salvador and Honduras.

Christian Aid regional co-ordinator Emma Peak recently visited the town to present the group with a certificate to recognise their efforts.

She said: “This is a fantastic achievement for the Barnard Castle Churches Together group and shows just what can be achieved working together.

“This money will fund our partners to implement an innovative four-year project with some of the poorest, most marginalised communities in central America.

“In El Salvador and Honduras, women and girls from indigenous communities are some of the poorest and most disempowered people, facing huge barriers to securing sexual and reproductive health.

“The money will enable our partners in both countries to tackle the immediate need for better healthcare, but will also empower women and girls to claim their rights.”

The money was raised mainly by coffee mornings and donations from individuals and churches in Barnard Castle, including Anglican, Methodist, Roman Catholic, Christian Fellowship and Society of Friends, with help from Middleton Methodist Church and St Mary’s in Middleton.

The churches regularly support Christian Aid through collections during Christian Aid week and with Advent and Lent Lunches.

Revd Bev Hollings of Barnard Castle Methodist Church said: “To qualify for the match funding additional funding had to be raised.

“To reach the target almost a year before the deadline is a wonderful achievement.”