Christian charities ask Government for help to continue helping people in coronavirus lockdown

Christian Aid is among the charities warning that they will struggle to support those in need without assistance from the Government(Photo: Christian Aid)

Christian charities have sent a joint letter to the Government asking for help so that they can continue to support people struggling in the lockdown. 

In the letter, they warn that they are seeing their income "plummet" at the same time as their services are "needed more than ever". 

"We would like to start by thanking you for all you are doing to lead this nation through this unprecedented situation and for the incredible efforts you have made to keep us in touch with your plans," they write.

"Our world is in the thick of a crisis like no other; our families, our society, our economy are being challenged in previously unimaginable ways.

"Thankfully, this country has a resource which is used to stepping up, supporting and finding solutions. This resource is the Church: a body of people who know all about compassionately supporting people in their communities and inspiring others to do the same.

"Working hard alongside the churches are a myriad of Christian charities who exist to equip and support the Church as they look after those around them. Right now, in the most difficult of times, we are doing what Jesus told us to do: to love our neighbour."

Signatories of the letter include Christian Aid head Amanda Khozi Mukwashi, Open Doors CEO Henrietta Blyth, the Message Trust's Andy Hawthorne, World Vision interim CEO Mark Sheard, and Evangelical Alliance UK Director Peter Lynas. 

They said that the pandemic is challenging families, society and the economy in "previously unimaginable ways" as they asked the Chancellor to extend similar support to charities as he has done to families and businesses.

They continue: "We know that a future economic downturn will mean that our care will be needed more than ever. The challenge is seeing our income plummet at the same time as circumstances dictate we step up, which diminishes our ability to support local churches in doing what they do best.

"We appreciate the ways the Chancellor has helped families and businesses in this time of crisis and urgently ask that the same support may be found for the vital work of the charitable sector and the Church, as we continue to do all we can."