DESPITE the snow, vicars from across Surrey headed to Frensham Pond last week armed with ironing boards and kettles to show their love and solidarity for developing communities around the world, especially in Bangladesh.

This year’s Christian Aid Week (May 15 to 21), Britain’s longest running door-to-door fundraising week, is asking the British public to love every neighbour and support poor communities around the world, who often are forced to live without the basic needs of food and shelter.

Reverend Jane Walker of Frensham, Rev Richard Bodle of Hindhead and Churt, Rev Tara Hellings of Crondall and Ewshot, as well as Christian Aid’s organiser for Farnham, Karen Fewster and representative for Surrey, Laura Mead attempted household chores in the pond to show solidarity with communities in Bangladesh that are forced to cope with increasing flooding.

Rev Hellings said: “It might seem absurd that we are standing here in this very cold water, but we are doing it for a very good reason. As Christian Aid week comes round, we are highlighting the plight of people in Bangladesh who have to live with waters like this, in their homes, on a daily basis.

“Families have to deal with the dangers of cooking, cleaning and sleeping in water, which destroys their belongings, homes and lives. It’s a good thing to do, to remind us not to take things for granted.”

Laura Mead, Christian Aid’s regional co-ordinator for Surrey, said: “When parts of Surrey were badly affected by floods a few years ago, people and churches went out of their way to help their neighbours: cooking meals, laying sandbags, providing temporary accommodation.

“Unlike our communities, people affected by flooding in Bangladesh may lose even the ground their house stands on as the river floods, and have to survive for months afterwards with whatever they have managed to snatch up as they escape the water.

“I am so glad and proud that Surrey churches, who supported their local neighbours when the floods came, are now standing up for their global neighbours, by fundraising, campaigning, and joining me here in the pond today in solidarity with those who spend their lives living in dangerous, flooded conditions.”

Christian Aid local partner organisation, Gana Unnyan Kendra (GUK) is supporting families in Bangladesh. A Christian Aid Home Safety Package (£250) provides an earth plinth, raising a home six to 8ft above water, creating a safe place for a family to rebuild their home and safely keep livestock. The package also includes a goat, seeds and a wormery, all of which will provide a long-term income.

Help to change the lives of climate-affected families in places like Bangladesh this Christian Aid Week by donating online at www.caweek.org calling 08080 006 006, or texting ‘SAFE’ to 70040 to give £5.