FUNDRAISERS from Yeovil have completed a charity walk as part of their efforts to raise money during Christian Aid Week 2024.

Despite spells of heavy downpour, a committed group of walkers strode along the River Parrett at Langport in solidarity with millions of people who have to walk long distances for clean water or to sell their produce.

The walk alone has raised over £600 in donations, in addition to a further £325 from a Christian Aid lunch at the Methodist Hall at the Quedam.

With church and street collections still ongoing, the group hopes to beat last years total of £4,000.

Organiser Phil Juggins 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.

“17 of us set out along the scenic riverside path before looping back to Langport for lunch. It was a showery day, but we kept dry and even saw the sun!

"Then during lunch, we were glad to be indoors as the heavens opened and the thunder rumbled.

"We had planned a second walk along the river for the afternoon.

"This was abandoned except for three men and a dog who braved a short distance before turning back, soaked!

“But we’ve raised over £600 from donations in support of the walk, so a great success, and we’ve dried out! This followed a Christian Aid lunch the day before at the Methodist Hall at the Quedam, Yeovil, which raised £325, and numerous church and street collections in Yeovil and the surrounding villages.

“Last year the collections and events raised over £4000 for Christian Aid Week in the Yeovil area. We’re hoping to match that!”

Money raised during Christian Aid Week will help the organisation’s partners empower vulnerable communities to find practical and sustainable ways out of poverty.

This year’s appeal focussed on work in Burundi, one of the most densely populated and poorest countries in Africa.

Heavily reliant on agriculture, it’s also one of the least prepared to combat the effects of climate change, including droughts, floods and landslides.

The global cost of living crisis has intensified the challenges - more than 70 per cent of the population live in poverty and more than half of children are chronically malnourished.