It’s looking pretty clean and tidy in one village in the diocese right now, thanks to the litter picking efforts of parishioners representing Churches Together in Groby.
Last month, more than 40 people from St Philip and St James Church and Groby United Reformed Church, cleaned the streets whilst taking part in Christian Aid’s 70 Kilometres in May Challenge.
The ‘team’ started litter picking on 1 May, and planned to walk 70km around Groby during the month, to raise awareness of the Christian Aid Week campaign centred around the people of Burundi, in east-central Africa.
The idea was to cover the distance by walking, cycling, swimming, or any other way you fancied, in solidarity with millions of people who have to walk long distances every day to find clean water or to sell their produce.
Smashing the 70km in just 15 days and only halfway through May, the Groby team continued in their efforts, and really did go the ‘extra mile’ for vulnerable communities, amassing more than 100km between them during the 31 day challenge, while raising an impressive £3,957.66 for the cause.
According to Christian Aid, malnourishment and poverty affects more than 70% of people in Burundi.
Christian Aid is working to empower families in the country to build reliable and diverse incomes.
Those in Groby not taking part in the litter pick were encouraged to show their support and make a donation using the Christian Aid Envelope posted through their door by members of the Churches Together group.
Mary Pringle, from Churches Together in Groby, said: “Every year, during Christian Aid Week, people across Britain and Ireland raise funds, act and pray for their global neighbours in a celebration of hope for a fairer world.
“We decided to do this team litter pick to raise awareness of the campaign. We want to raise funds to help more people push back against poverty; as a bonus we’re helping to keep our village litter-free!”
Churches Together in Groby undertake a variety of activities together and have run a successful Christian Aid week campaign for many years.
Encouraged by the numbers from both churches who took part in the challenge, including children and dogs, Christine Davies from St Philip and St James Church, said: “Living as we do in a relatively affluent country with so many good gifts from God, I believe we should be sharing our gifts - be it money, time, or talents - with others who are not so fortunate.
“Raising awareness of the work of Christian Aid by being out and about litter picking, having conversations about why we are doing it is just one way of showing how we are giving loving service to others.
“It has been satisfying to also clean up a few areas and improve the environment of the village.”