John Leech MP Marks Christian Aid Week Anniversary

12.22.32pm BST (GMT +0100) Fri 25th May 2007

Christian Aid Week is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.

John Leech MP has helped to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Christian Aid week in Parliament.

The event was born out of a fund set up by churches to help with reconstruction following the Second World War. The very first Christian Aid week was held in 1957 and helped to raise £26,000 in 200 towns and villages.

Now, Christian Aid week can call upon over 300,000 churches and 20,000 volunteers every year and last year raised £14.3m to help some of the poorest people in the world.

"After events such as Live 8, I think people's awareness of the shocking situation affecting so many in the third world has grown enormously," John Leech MP said. "Christian Aid Week is a wonderful tradition in this country and I know hundreds of people in south Manchester will have been out collecting this year."

"We can't let poverty in Africa to slip off the political agenda again," John continued. "Wars continue across the continent and humanitarian crises like in the Sudan should shock us all. We have to put pressure on our government and on other countries to ensure that the pledges of aid, trade liberalisation, and of debt relief do not turn out to be just words."

John Leech MP has signed Early Day Motion 1457 - 50th Anniversary of Christian Aid Week, the text of which is set out below.

50th ANNIVERSARY OF CHRISTIAN AID WEEK

14.05.2007

Hoyle, Lindsay

That this House notes the 50th anniversary of Christian Aid Week; recognises the importance of Christian Aid Week, which is the largest house-to-house collection in the United Kingdom, with the involvement of over 300,000 volunteers and 20,000 local churches and committees, in raising funds and boosting the profile of Christian Aid whilst attracting vital publicity to campaigns; expresses concern at the extent of poverty worldwide with estimates showing that 1.3 billion people live in extreme poverty; and congratulates Christian Aid on its efforts in raising much-needed funds to support the most needy and also raising the profile of the plight of people across the world.

Bookmark this story at: del.icio.us Digg Facebook reddit StumbleUpon
Print this news story.
Comment on this news story.
Previous news story: John Leech MP praises work of foster carers (Thu 24th May 2007).
Next news story: John Leech MP backs bid to clean up student accommodation (Wed 30th May 2007).

Related News Stories:

Wed 23rd Jul 2008:

John Leech MP warns of Bogus Clothing Charities.

Wed 16th Jul 2008:

John Leech celebrates biggest fundraising dinner yet.

Tue 15th Jul 2008:

'A 999 text service could help save more lives' - John Leech MP.

Mon 7th Jul 2008:

'There is a danger that the debate will become about just another tax on the motorist' - John Leech MP.

Wed 2nd Jul 2008:

John Leech MP Angered as Tories ignore Pensioners' Pleas.

Tue 1st Jul 2008:

John Leech MP Joins in the Fight Against a Silent Killer.

John Leech MP calls on the Government for the Consent to Women Bishops.

Mon 30th Jun 2008:

Local Restaurant "curries favour" with John Leech MP.

Fri 20th Jun 2008:

John Leech MP doesn't make a mountain out of a molehill about sunburn threat.

Wed 18th Jun 2008:

John Leech MP fights to save Post Offices from the axe.

Thu 5th Jun 2008:

'Our GPs must continue to see us as patients, not customers' - John Leech MP.

Wed 4th Jun 2008:

John Leech MP encourages Mancunian veterans to apply for badge.

Thu 22nd May 2008:

John Leech MP backs Xtraordinary People in Parliament.

Wed 14th May 2008:

John Leech MP exercises for lung health.

Fri 25th Apr 2008:

John Leech, MP Fights to Save Bus Saver Tickets.

Fri 21st Mar 2008:

'Mahoro Must Stay' - John Leech MP.

Sat 15th Mar 2008:

John Leech MP calls for real nappies in our hospitals.

Wed 12th Mar 2008:

'Jodrell Bank must not be forgotten' - John Leech MP.

Tue 12th Feb 2008:

'Mindless attacks on our fire brigade must be stopped' - John Leech MP .

Fri 8th Feb 2008:

'On their 150th anniversary, we must congratulate the Hallé Orchestra for their continuing commitment to the arts in Manchester' - John Leech MP .

Thu 7th Feb 2008:

'Fifty years on, the city will be united in remembrance' - John Leech MP.

Mon 4th Feb 2008:

'Land Girls deserve recognition' - John Leech MP.

Fri 1st Feb 2008:

John Leech celebrates Parliamentarian of the Year accolade.

Wed 19th Dec 2007:

'We must recognise the continuing plight of the homeless this Christmas' - John Leech MP.

Fri 30th Nov 2007:

'Maia's a winner' - Manchester Withington MP, John Leech.

Tue 27th Nov 2007:

John Leech MP criticizes Labour's Detention Periods.

Sat 24th Nov 2007:

John Leech MP gets the hump about Japanese whaling.

Wed 21st Nov 2007:

John Leech MP and guests dine in style.

Fri 16th Nov 2007:

John Leech MP accuses Tiscali of playing Scrooge this Christmas.

Mon 12th Nov 2007:

Queen's Speech a disappointment for South Manchester - John Leech MP .

Thu 8th Nov 2007:

Government continues to fail our children - John Leech MP.

Tue 6th Nov 2007:

John Leech MP delivering for South Manchester.

Mon 5th Nov 2007:

John Leech MP fights to reduce supermarket waste .

Mon 29th Oct 2007:

John Leech MP feels his way to new skills.

Fri 26th Oct 2007:

'Wear it pink!' says John Leech MP.

Thu 18th Oct 2007:

'We are facing a dental crisis' - Manchester MP, John Leech.

Thu 27th Sep 2007:

John Leech MP is overwhelmed at the response from the health surveys.

Thu 13th Sep 2007:

John Leech MP slams cemetery vandals .

John Leech MP starts massive health consultation.

Wed 5th Sep 2007:

John Leech MP steps up support for Remploy rally.

Fri 17th Aug 2007:

John Leech MP calls for Peterloo memorial.

Tue 7th Aug 2007:

John Leech MP slams government's North-South failings.

Mon 6th Aug 2007:

John Leech MP helps announce doubling of rail cash.

Thu 2nd Aug 2007:

John Leech takes up Remploy cause.

Tue 31st Jul 2007:

John Leech MP backs plans to lift 5m out of poverty.

Mon 30th Jul 2007:

John Leech leads calls for safer young drivers.

Thu 26th Jul 2007:

"Holidaymakers may be terrorist targets - even before they've left the airport" - John Leech MP.

Mon 16th Jul 2007:

John Leech demands more recycling facilities.

Wed 4th Jul 2007:

John Leech MP slams government's rail failures.

Mon 2nd Jul 2007:

John Leech MP tackles one of his toughest grillings yet.

Tue 26th Jun 2007:

"Lack of housing should shame us all" - John Leech MP.

Wed 30th May 2007:

John Leech MP takes Mersey Valley fight to Parliament.

John Leech MP backs bid to clean up student accommodation.

Thu 24th May 2007:

John Leech MP praises work of foster carers .

John Leech MP keeps up the fight against Labour's Post Office cuts.

"Decent homes should be a right" - John Leech MP.

Thu 17th May 2007:

"Give local people the power over superstores" - John Leech MP.

Thu 26th Apr 2007:

John Leech MP struggles with the small print .

Thu 5th Apr 2007:

John Leech MP backs St. George's holiday campaign.

"Labour's Iraq Disaster Needs a New Strategy" - John Leech MP.

"We must end fuel poverty" - John Leech MP.

Stop Labour's Post Office Swindle - John Leech MP.

John Leech MP slams unfair BT charges.

Thu 29th Mar 2007:

John Leech MP Welcomes Carbon Saving at Manchester Airport.

Wed 28th Mar 2007:

John Leech says "Make Chatter Matter".

John Leech backs protection for urban wildlife.

Mon 19th Mar 2007:

John Leech MP 'Ramps' up interest in local sports.

Wed 14th Mar 2007:

"Government takes the wrong route on nukes." - John Leech MP.

Thu 8th Mar 2007:

"Let's get rid of the Elephant in the Room" - John Leech MP.

Tue 6th Mar 2007:

John Leech MP takes police cuts to No. 10.

Tue 27th Feb 2007:

John Leech MP introduces new bill to tackle road deaths.

Thu 15th Feb 2007:

John Leech MP praises St. Ann's vital work.

Fri 26th Jan 2007:

John Leech MP helps commemorate Holocaust victims.

Fri 8th Dec 2006:

John Leech MP welcomes Christie's new Critical Care Unit.

Constituents Lobby John Leech MP over Worldwide Aids Crisis.

Thu 7th Dec 2006:

John Leech MP demands 'right to hospice care'.

Thu 30th Nov 2006:

John Leech Quizzes Government over Lung Cancer Screening.

Tue 7th Nov 2006:

John Leech MP supports Road Safety Week campaign to cut young driver crashes in the North West.

Tue 8th Aug 2006:

'NHS Jobs Crisis Must Be Tackled' says John Leech MP.

Thu 27th Jul 2006:

John Leech MP calls on Government to get tough on Gas Guzzlers .

Thu 20th Jul 2006:

John Leech MP says "Nuclear Power? - No Thanks!

Thu 13th Jul 2006:

John Leech MP calls on solicitors to take part in Will Aid.

Thu 6th Jul 2006:

John Leech MP Calls for Inquiry into Utility Prices.

Mon 3rd Jul 2006:

John Leech MP welcomes Cancer Nursing Initiative .

Fri 30th Jun 2006:

John Leech MP highlights Danger of Skin Cancer .

Wed 28th Jun 2006:

John Leech MP Grills Minister as NHS Dentistry Declines.

Mon 26th Jun 2006:

John Leech MP calls for end of 'Garden Grabbing ' developments.

Thu 22nd Jun 2006:

John Leech MP supports Whizz-Kidz and Barnardo's.

Tue 11th Apr 2006:

Rail Users Back John Leech MP.

Wed 21st Sep 2005:

John Leech Campaigning at Lib Dem Conference.

Printed and hosted by Prater Raines Ltd, 82b Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BX.
Published and promoted by John Leech, MP for Manchester Withington, 8 Gawsworth Avenue, Manchester, M20 5NF.
The views expressed are those of John Leech MP, not of the service provider.