Charity is sending out a plea for help in Harborough as it battles to feed almost three million starving people in East Africa

A Christian charity is sending out a plea for help in Harborough as it battles to feed almost three million starving people in East Africa.

The urgent SoS has been issued as this is Christian Aid Week and it’s been hit badly by the coronavirus lockdown.

The usual street and door-to-door collections will not be going ahead throughout Harborough because of social distancing.

Normally the local collection using volunteers from many of the town’s churches raises several thousand pounds every year.

However, readers of the Harborough Mail can still show their support by donating online at https://www.christianaid.org.ukThis year Christian Aid is launching a mission to help feed a staggering 2.7 million people in Kenya.

The embattled country is suffering its worst drought in decades while medics and scientists are battling to stop Covid-19 spreading at the same time.

Christian Aid also has daily quizzes and live-streamed worship.

You can get involved from your own homes.

You can also take part in the 300,000 steps in May challenge - which will be run through Facebook.

It is possible to send an electronic donation envelope - an ‘e-envelope’ – to friends and family.

Daily reflections will be taking place on the Christian Aid Facebook page at 11am at https://www.facebook.com/christianaidChristian Aid Week national manager Sophie Brightwell said: “Coronavirus is teaching us what it feels like to feel vulnerable, to fear, to be separated and experience scarcity.

“The most vulnerable and marginalised people are at the greatest risk from coronavirus.”

She added: “In Sierra Leone there are no intensive care unit (ICU) beds and in Malawi there is one ICU bed for every one million people.

“In refugee camps, people are not able to keep socially distant from one other and 40 per cent of the world’s population do not have access to soap and water.”

Sophie said that “Christian Aid provides fast practical help in times of crisis and beyond”.

“It exists to create a world where everyone can live a full life, free from poverty,” she said.