To mark 60 years of the annual fundraising drive, Christian Aid Week, and to highlight its historical and ongoing commitment to supporting refugees, international development charity Christian Aid has released a new animation based on the real-life story of supporter Theodor Davidovic.
Theodor, 92, who was a refugee in the aftermath of WWII, received life-saving support from Christian Aid and has since dedicated his life to the charity and helping others in need.
Born in Serbia to his WW1 Veteran father and mother, who died when Theodor was 8 years old, Theodor was orphaned as a young man and sold into domestic service until he was 16 years old.
Following advice from his father to flee, Theodor later joined the resistance movement to fight against Germany, but eventually found himself in refugee camps in Italy and Germany.
He says he never forgets the care packages he received from Christian Aid.
Theodor, who now lives in Fife, says: 'When I was in the camps, it was the Christians who sent the parcels. They were sending parcels for the 2.5 years that I was there, and I will never forget it.'
Theodor managed to escape the refugee camps when he was 22, arriving in Scotland as a refugee in 1947. He met his wife, Betty, in a dance hall in Kilcaldy when he was 26 and she was 20. They married in 1953, and now they have two sons and four grandchildren.
Theodor and Betty built a life for themselves in Fife, where Theodor owned three shoe repair shops before he retired aged 72. It was while attending church in the 1970s with his family, Theodor heard about a call to go and collect for Christian Aid.
'I volunteered to do it, because it was my opportunity to pay back what I got before,' he said. 'I know it was the people in Christian Aid who contributed to the fund that helped me to survive. And I feel that I owe my life – that I survived – to Christian Aid.
'I vowed there and then to do my best as long as I live. And I'm still doing it.'
Theodor became his local Christian Aid Week organiser, and over the years has run youth clubs, organised sponsored walks and barbecues – among many other events.
Theodor continues: 'I appeal to all the Christians, your Christianity is not only to come and pray and sing hymns. It is to put your belief in actions - helping somebody that needs your help and showing love and compassion to the wider world. Even at the local community who need their help, show it with love that should deride from belief in God.'
During this year's Christian Aid Week, the charity is inviting people to stand in solidarity with refugees around the world. It has been working with refugees since the Second World War, and is not turning its back now.
Today, tens of millions of people across the globe are forced from their homes due to war, conflict and disaster. Many are forced to make life-threateningly dangerous journeys in search of a safe place to call home.
While the majority of today's refugees seek sanctuary in poor countries, in 2015 some one million people crossed into Europe. With borders across the continent now closed to refugees, thousands are stranded – and in need of urgent help.
'I came to Scotland as a refugee in 1947 and I am grateful for the sanctuary and safety that I found and I couldn't have been happier,' says Theodor.
'It is more important know than ever before. When I was walking in the world as a refugee in 1947 at least there was peace but now there is war and these refugees, it is not their fault.'
Christian Aid Week unites over 20,000 churches every year to achieve incredible things to support our global neighbours in need, who are suffering through no fault of their own. With their support, Christian Aid and its global partners continue to provide support for people searching for a safe place, with essentials including food and shelter, as well as advocating for policies to protect them and help them on the ground.
You can help to change the lives of people fleeing conflict and crisis this Christian Aid Week by donating online at www.caweek.org calling 08080 006 006, or texting 'GIVE' to 70040 to give £5.
Melanie Hargreaves is an advisor for international development organisation, Christian Aid. Follower her at @Melanie_H82
