CHURCHGOERS in Thirsk and the surrounding villages are preparing to raise funds for Christian Aid.

Many will be helping with house-to-house collections in several areas during Christian Aid Week, which runs from May 15 to 21.

Others will hold money raising events, including a coffee morning on Thursday, May 19, at the Black Lion, Thirsk Market Place, from 10am to noon.

The week begins with a service, which is open to all involved or interested, on Sunday, May 15, in Sowerby Methodist Church at 6.30pm.

The speaker will be Sarah Rowe, of Christian Aid Yorkshire, who recently returned from visiting one of Christian Aid’s partners in Kenya, working to help local people improve their conditions in the slums of Nairobi.

Christian Aid is an international aid agency, which gives support to poor people throughout the developing world.