Christian charities unite to respond to Coronavirus

Hands linked

The leaders of eleven Christian charities are today alerting the Scottish Government to the unique role they and the local Church are playing during the coronavirus outbreak.

In a letter to the First Minister, charities describe how in the weeks and months ahead, many more people will feel the need to call upon their organisations and the churches they resource. They also emphasised their willingness to work in collaboration with the Government to help those most in need.

Fred Drummond, Director of Evangelical Alliance Scotland said, ‘Our local churches are made up of compassionate and motivated people, who love their towns, cities and villages. They have already been making a huge difference in their communities to bring practical support and hope since the crisis started’.

Working with the local Church in communities across Scotland, the charities, which include Christians Against Poverty, Glasgow City Mission and Bethany Christian Trust, wrote in their letter that they ‘stand ready to work strategically in partnership with the Scottish Government and agencies at every level to ensure the best possible national response at this time’.

‘The work that all of our charities do is vital and our reach across Scotland is significant,’ Emma Jackson, National Director of Christians Against Poverty Scotland commented. ‘Together we are helping thousands of people, regardless of their background, at every level. We are feeding and supporting vulnerable children and adults, helping with personal finance and finding work, providing hope and social connection and, most of all, linking up those who want to give or volunteer with those in need.’

The letter ends by saying, ‘We are committed for the long haul, but with this changing landscape we will also need the Scottish Government to stand with us in the coming months – not for our own sake but for those we serve – to ensure this valuable work can meet the growing needs of the coming months and years.’

Read the open letter

Follow us for our latest news