Christian Aid director Nick cycled from Cambridge to Ely to meet with Bishop Dagmar
Cambridge fitness enthusiast Nick Georgiadis, a senior leader with international development agency Christian Aid, is gearing up for the charity’s annual appeal with a 70k cycling challenge.
Nick, Director of Fundraising and Supporter Engagement, is taking part in this year’s Christian Aid Week by tackling the organisation’s new challenge - 70k in May.
Last year, Nick tasked himself with cycling 300 miles during May, so this year he knew he’d have to up his game and decided to tackle this month-long challenge in one day!
He rode from his home in Cambridge to Ely Cathedral, where he met with Bishop Dagmar Winter. They spoke about Christian Aid Week and the many ways staff and supporters are fundraising.
The money from the appeal will help the organisation’s partners empower communities to find practical and sustainable ways out of poverty.
Christian Aid Week 2024 runs from May 12–18 and is focussing this year on initiatives in Burundi, one of the most densely populated and poorest countries in Africa. Heavily reliant on agriculture, it’s also one of the least prepared to combat the effects of climate change, including droughts, floods and landslides. The global cost of living crisis has intensified the challenges: more than 70 per cent of the population live in poverty and more than half of children are chronically malnourished.
Nick said: “I’m keen on keeping fit and last year I cycled 100 miles in a month for this appeal; I knew this year I’d have to up my game.
“I enjoy getting out and about but these kind of challenges also make me feel I’m doing something in solidarity with our global neighbours in countries like Burundi who often have to walk or cycle long distances for clean water, or to find work.
“I visited Burundi last year and witnessed first-hand the transformational work going on there. It’s what drives me to take on challenges like this, knowing that every act, every gift, every prayer really does make a difference.”
Christian Aid - which works with people of all faiths and none - has been in Burundi since 1995 when it first offered humanitarian assistance to people during the civil conflict. Now, alongside local partners, the organisation helps establish Village Savings and Loans Associations (VSLAs). These community-led groups mean people can save and borrow money, making small businesses possible, offering reliable and diverse incomes so families can eat regularly, get medicine when they need it, and build safer homes.
Nick added: “Christian Aid Week really epitomises a feeling of togetherness and energy. Our supporters all around the UK come together for the appeal and the variety of fundraising events they come up with is amazing.
“There are so many ways people can get involved – not just the 70k in May challenge. We have people doing sponsored walks and cycles; groups holding bake sales and concerts; we’ve even had Bible readathons and pingpong marathons. We can’t wait to see what people are doing this year and welcome anyone to join us by visiting our website and seeing how they can get involved.”
To find out how you can join in please visit www.christianaid.org.uk.