Christian Aid

Wesley Memorial has been the home of the regional office of Christian Aid for more than 10 years. The Oxford team represents the international development charity in the counties of Oxfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire.

Christian Aid works with people, of all faiths and none, to eradicate poverty and injustice in around 50 countries. Education is central to the strategy as the charity strives to raise awareness of issues which cause poverty: rights and justice, trade, climate change and HIV. It also co-ordinates fund-raising throughout the UK and builds links to partners overseas: churches, ecumenical bodies, local NGOs and movements who have common values and competence in the eradication of poverty.

Wesley Memorial Church has very close links to the Oxford team: the annual Christian Aid market is held on our premises; individual members of the congregation organise House to House collections around Oxford; and the Open Doors project has a specific Christian Aid strand. Five percent of all voluntary donations and local fundraising will go to Christian Aid, initially for a project in Burkina Faso, and the Appeal brochure explains the rationale:

`We are taking this opportunity to ... give a practical focus
to our membership of the World Church.'

The Christian Aid office is also looking forward to the completion of the building works and the benefits of the improved catering facilities, the easier access for visitors and the welcoming entrance.