Christian Aid Week is a time when people come together to support global efforts in the fight against poverty and injustice.
Not only does this year mark a remarkable 80 years of Christian Aid, but it’s also our 68th Christian Aid Week, a week that has seen millions of pounds raised to fund life-changing work in the most vulnerable communities around the world.
From the first Christian Aid Week in 1957 to today, it has grown from a small local event to a national movement that continues to have a lasting impact.
A brief history of Christian Aid Week
Christian Aid Week began in 1957, with the first-ever fundraising total reaching £26,000. This week, spent fundraising between 6 – 11 May that year, laid the foundation for what would become a vital part of Christian Aid's mission.
Over the decades, Christian Aid Week has adapted to changing times, but its core purpose remains the same: to mobilise the Christian community to take action in the fight against poverty.
96-year-old Douglas Tucker took part in the first official Christian Aid Week in 1957 in Newcastle. Hear his story first hand.
Douglas Tucker reflecting on the first Christian Aid Week
96-year-old Douglas Tucker took part in the first official Christian Aid Week in 1957 in Newcastle. Hear his story first hand.
Learn more about how you can fundraise and make a difference in the lives of vulnerable communities around the world.
Zimbabwe
In 2022, the focus was on Zimbabwe, where drought left families struggling to grow food. Seven in ten women in rural areas relied on farming to survive yet with no rain, they were left hungry and desperate. Women like Jessica often skipped meals so their children could eat. As the climate crisis worsens, more communities in Zimbabwe face the devastating impact of extreme weather.
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Image credits and information
Malawi
In 2023, Christian Aid turned its attention to Malawi, where rising costs and climate disasters pushed farmers into deeper hardship.
Devastated by floods and droughts, families couldn’t afford food or school fees, forcing children to abandon their education.
The Big Pea Challenge encouraged supporters to help farmers like Jen Bishop grow drought-resistant pigeon peas, so they could earn a stable income and secure their children’s future.
Burundi
In 2024, Christian Aid Week focused on Burundi, sharing Aline’s story. After escaping an abusive marriage, she was left homeless and separated from her six children, struggling to survive. With support from Christian Aid-funded trainers, she attended a three-day workshop that changed her life. Learning how to form a Village Savings and Loan Association (VSLA), Aline built a steady income and a secure future. VSLAs continue to empower communities, giving people the means to save, invest and rebuild their lives.
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Image credits and information
Guatemala
In 2025, Christian Aid Week highlights the struggles of Guatemalan communities and how we can stand with them. Aurelia, a farmer and community leader, is fighting climate change and industrial agriculture. With training from Christian Aid’s partner, Congcoop, she’s using sustainable farming to protect her land and secure her community’s future.
This Christian Aid Week, churches and supporters across the UK are coming together to make a difference. By fundraising, praying and taking part in 70k in May, you can help ensure farmers like Aurelia have the resources they need to build resilience and thrive.
Fundraise your way this Christian Aid week. From bake sales to sports days and everything in between, there’s so many ways to make a difference.
The power of community fundraising
Throughout the years, Christian Aid Week has brought communities together—not just to raise funds, but to stand in solidarity for social justice. From door-to-door collections and church fundraisers to sponsored walks, these efforts have helped support life-changing projects around the world.
For generations, the sight of a red Christian Aid envelope landing on a doormat or being handed over with a smile has been a powerful reminder of kindness in action. These little envelopes have travelled through millions of hands, each one carrying a message of hope and a chance to make a difference.
Many also share their own stories of why they take part, reminding us that small actions, together, can make a big difference.
Margaret Elizabeth from Shirley reflects on how meeting someone who had benefited from Christian Aid’s projects overseas was a 'real wow moment.' This is the tangible impact of the generosity of those who take part in Christian Aid Week year after year.
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The most heart-warming moments were when someone had the filled envelope ready to give to me, and told me with a smile that they were glad I had come back to collect it.
If you're looking to make an immediate difference, please consider donating to Christian Aid Week. Every penny helps fund sustainable solutions for communities in need.
Churches at the heart of Christian Aid Week
For nearly 70 years, churches have been the beating heart of Christian Aid Week. From organising house-to-house collections to hosting cream teas, quizzes and prayer services, churches across Britain and Ireland have put their faith into action. Their dedication has raised millions, fuelled campaigns for justice and created spaces for communities to come together in hope.
As we prepare for another week of fundraising and solidarity, we invite churches and individuals to join us for the Christian Aid Week 2025 prayer launch. This marks the start of Christian Aid Week, and is a time to pray for the strength and spirit to carry us through the week of action ahead.
The week itself I've always felt is the biggest single act of Christian witness in the country.
The role of Christian Aid Week today
While donations remain important, Christian Aid has shifted its focus toward empowering communities to fundraise together, creating a more meaningful impact. Over the years, fundraising has become more community-driven, allowing people to connect, collaborate and see the direct results of their efforts. Fundraising not only helps raise vital funds, but it also fosters a sense of purpose, collective action and lasting change, amplifying the voices of supporters. This approach enables us to build stronger connections and generate more sustainable support for the causes that matter most.
Our new resource and fundraising platforms are designed to engage supporters from all across the UK and Ireland, allowing people to contribute, share and make a bigger impact.
Though the ways we raise funds have evolved since 1957, the heart of Christian Aid Week remains unchanged. Today, we’re taking steps to modernise fundraising through digital platforms and downloadable resources that make it easier for people to get involved and make a difference.
Why Christian Aid Week matters more than ever
With the world facing unprecedented challenges, including the effects of climate change, conflict and economic inequality, Christian Aid Week remains a vital way to support those in need. The funds raised through this week support ongoing efforts to create a more just and sustainable world.
By supporting Christian Aid Week, you're not only contributing to immediate aid but also to long-term solutions. Every donation, no matter how small, adds up to make a real difference in the lives of those who need it most.
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