Tomorrow sees the start of the Advent Appeal in aid of starving children in Africa by locally-based charity Children in Crossfire.
Schools, workplaces and community groups are being encouraged to get involved to aid the charity’s NOURISH programme in Ethiopia.
The charity says they have made “real and lasting” progress as a result of donations from the North West.
Urging support for its Advent Appeal, a charity spokesperson said: “This Christmas many thousands of children throughout Ethiopia will die from not having enough food.
“With your support this Advent Children in Crossfire can continue to make a real difference. As a direct result of our nutrition programme in partnership with St Luke’s Hospital we have been able to save the lives of many children in the region.
“In the last two years hospital admissions have fallen by 18% and child mortality has decreased by 29%.
“Christmas is a special time of the year for children and their families. It is also a time to give.
“By supporting Children in Crossfire’s Advent Appeal you will help us give much needed food and medicine to some of the most vulnerable children on the planet. Please help us continue this vital work.”
Over 1.5 million school children in Ethiopia are malnourished and this year Children in Crossfire is calling on local school children to help change this and get their schools involved in its Advent Appeal and help raise money to fund the Children in Crossfire Therapeutic Feeding Unit (TFU) in St. Luke’s Hospital in the South West Shoa Zone in Ethiopia.
From the Advent/School’s section of charity’s website teachers can access information and resources to help them make the Advent Appeal, real and fun; like the story of Elias, the one year old boy who was successfully treated at charity’s TFU.
Or they can encourage their pupils to engage in one of the fun fundraising activities like “Colour your own Christmas Card” and at the same time raise money for this vital service.
The Advent Appeal will be launched at a “Special Sunday Lunch” being served in Queen’s Quay Social on Sunday afternoon.
A number of fundraising events are also taking place this weekend.
Champion boxer Paul McCloskey, from Dungiven, will be one of the “Festive Jail Breakers” raising money from 12.00 noon today on the third floor of Foyleside Shopping Centre.
The charity’s “Shop for Life” is also open at the nearby Richmond Shopping Centre selling virtual gifts based on six Budget Lines of the NOURISH Programme.
Hand-made gifts made by parents of the children being treated in Children in Crossfire’s Cancer Programme will also be available at the stall which is located on the top floor of the Richmond Centre.
For further information on Advent Appeal and the above events telephone the Children in Crossfire team on 028 71269898 or visit the website www.childrenincrossfire.org.
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