Staffordshire friends take on 140K charity challenge to support communities living in poverty

They are actually aiming to run and walk 140km, to raise money for the work of
Christian Aid’s partners around the world who support communities in finding
practical and sustainable ways out of poverty. 

Sadie explained: 

“I've been a Christian Aid organiser since about 2004 - first in Farnham, Surrey and, since 2018, at St Margaret's in North Staffordshire. Gill is a friend, a member of St Margaret's and a regular supporter of Christian Aid.”

During Christian Aid Week, which this year is May 10-16, people across Britain and
Ireland come together with services, events and challenges to raise money and awareness.

This year’s appeal is focusing on work in Nairobi, Kenya, where intense poverty
means families have a daily struggle to feed their children. With secure jobs hard to find, and most people earning less than a dollar a day to cover school costs, rent and water, some days there isn’t enough for a meal.

But with tools, seeds and specialist training from Christian Aid’s partner, Beacon of
Hope, families are learning how to make the most of a small space in the city to grow a steady supply of fresh vegetables to cook or sell.

In the first week or so, Sadie and Gill have collectively completed 65km and all
donations are going into the St Margaret’s appeal contribution.

Sadie, who has done challenges like this before, said Gill didn’t take a lot of
persuading to join her:

“I’ve done 300,000 steps in 2022 and the 70k since 2024. We’re doing this because we are lucky enough to be able to plan ahead. To plan fun things and to plan for the proverbial 'rainy day'. It's a world away from waking up each morning not knowing if you'll earn enough to buy food for your children that day. Intense poverty means families have a daily struggle to feed their children, but Christian Aid's partner Beacon of Hope is working to help people set up tiny urban farms and grow their own food. It gives them a bit more security day to day and hopes for a brighter future. And that's something everyone deserves.”

To support Sadie and Gill, please go to their fundraising page - Gill and Sadie's 140k in May - Christian Aid Week – and to get involved with Christian Aid Week, visit  Christian Aid Week 2026 or 70k in May.