As Cornwall hosted the G7 summit of world leaders, waves of hands appearing across Cornwall and Devon were joined by those from Colyton, where Christian Aid supporters launched their wave, formed from hands made by church members and children.
Christian Aid supporters across the region had asked their local churches and schools to join the Wave of Hope, by drawing, tracing, printing or painting a hand and making a display in their school or church ahead of the G7, to show the Prime Minister and other world leaders that they stand alongside each other to tackle injustice, no matter where they are. The G7 is made up of the richest countries in the world and with G7 leaders being hosted by the UK government in Cornwall, this gave a unique opportunity to speak out to help shape a more just world.
Linda Joy, Children & Families Worker for Holyford MIssion Community, said: “It’s been a delight to see the various groups of children that were interested in getting involved and we had lots of time to chat about the meaning behind the waves. It gave them the opportunity to enjoy being creative while being inspired to think about what will matter in their futures.”
Katrine Musgrave, Christian Aid’s Church Engagement and Fundraising Officer for Cornwall and Devon said: “The UK will host two critical summits this year – the G7 in June and the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) in November. Decisions that governments make at these gatherings will affect all of us, now and for generations to come, especially women and girls from the Global South, and other marginalised groups.
“It’s time for the Prime Minister and the world’s governments to take action to address the biggest crises of our time and work together for a just and green recovery – one that provides vaccines and healthcare for all, fights poverty and injustice, and helps end the climate and nature crises. Together, we can flood world leaders with our calls for a better future – our voices rising together, no matter where we are. By joining the wave Colyton became part of a much bigger picture.”
The Wave of Hope was a venture of more than 70 organisations who form the coalition Crack the Crises, representing more than 10 million people in the UK. Through the #WaveOfHope, we are calling on world leaders to make decisions that lead to a more just world which provides vaccines and healthcare for all, fights poverty and injustice, and helps end the climate crisis.
At the same time, the Colyton and district Christian Aid Group have been able to report a fund-raising milestone. Jane Dauncey, chair of the group, said: “We were very pleased to reach more than one million steps and raise more than £3000 in our Step Challenge for Christian Aid in May, to help some of the world’s poorest communities protect themselves from the twin threats of the climate crisis and the coronavirus pandemic.”