Sheffield churches’ marathon sing-a-long boosts appeal

Carol singers in full voice for charity.

All donations to the carol performance – and any donations to the organisation’s Christmas Appeal up until February 5 2016 – will be matched pound for pound by the UKAid Match scheme to help tackle malaria in Nigeria.

Organised by the Sheffield Christian Aid Group, carolling took place near the Town Hall on Saturday, December 5, from 9am to 5pm, with city churches taking it in shifts of an hour to sing and collect.

This year’s event, with match funding, raised £1,800.

Alison Trezise, chairlady of the Sheffield Christian Aid Group, thanked everyone who took part.

She added: “At a time of giving gifts here, it seems appropriate that churches across the city come together to raise money for those less fortunate.

“By singing carols and collecting money we’re helping provide a precious gift to families in developing countries at Christmas.”

Experts estimate that worldwide a child dies of malaria every minute.

Malaria cases in Nigeria, West Africa, account for a quarter of all cases across the continent, killing an estimated 250,000 children under the age of five every year.

Pregnant women who contract malaria are deemed particularly vulnerable as the disease can result in a higher risk of miscarriage, premature delivery, stillbirth, severe anaemia and babies being born with low-birth weight – a leading cause of child mortality.

Christian Aid and its partner charities are working to provide life-saving nets and deliver an education programme in the country.

To donate or for more information about the project visit www.christianaid.org.uk/christmas