Christian Aid plans to challenge the public to live on just £1 a day for 5 days to raise £500,000 to help some of the world’s poorest people.
‘Live Below the Line’ is a new campaign run by the Global Poverty Project, and fronted by actor Hugh Jackman, which aims to recruit 5,000 people across the UK to take up the challenge of spending just £5 in 5 days on all their food and drink.
The event will coincide with the major public fundraising initiative, Christian Aid Week, from 2-6 May 2011.
Globally 1.4 billion people live below the poverty line, surviving on just £1 a day to cover all their living expenses.
The Global Poverty Project has joined forces with Christian Aid to raise money towards their work to end extreme poverty in the developing world.
To take part in ‘Live Below the Line’ people can register at www.livebelowtheline.org.uk/christianaid where they can set up their own fundraising page, share their story and check out recipe tips.
Claire Aston of Christian Aid explained: “Trying to Live Below the Line for Christian Aid will be a challenge, but that’s the point. Many people spend £2 on a cup of coffee without even thinking about it, but for 1.4 billion people across the developing world that money would have to cover all their living expenses for two days. ‘Live Below the Line’ goes a small way to helping people in the UK understand what it would be like to live in extreme poverty.”
Christian Aid works in some of the world’s poorest communities in nearly 50 countries, acting where the need is greatest – regardless of religion.