NORTH-EAST churches have raised more than £17,000 to help an emergency appeal in Africa.
Collections and fundraising events for the Darfur crisis in Sudan have been taking place around the diocese of Newcastle in response to Cafod's appeal.
People in the diocese have raised £17,782.76 in the past three weeks, including parishioners at St Teresa's Church, Darlington, who have raised £150.
Regional organiser Anne Marie Hanlon said: "The response to the Cafod appeal so far has been overwhelming and we are extremely grateful for this rapid fundraising effort.
"The severity of the situation in Darfur cannot be overestimated. Across the region around one in four children are acutely malnourished from lack of food and that figure is set to rise in the coming months.
"In addition, the health risks from poor water supplies and sanitation are enormous."
The money raised will help to provide support to 500,000 people who have been displaced into camps or living near their burned-out villages. To make a donation call 0500 858885 or log on to www.cafod.org.uk
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