21 March 2011
Methodist President to live on £1 a day
The Methodist Relief and Development Fund (MRDF) is challenging
people throughout the UK to 'live below the line' - and spend just
£1 a day on food and drink for a working week. The President of the
Methodist Church, Revd Alison Tomlin, and the strategic leaders of
the Methodist Church have already committed to take part: Revd Dr
Martyn Atkins; John Ellis; Christine Elliott and Mark Wakelin
It is hoped that between 2 and 6 May thousands of people will try
living below the global poverty line, with a budget of just £5 for
all of their meals over five days. They will ask their friends and
families to sponsor them and funds raised will be used to help some
of the world's most vulnerable people to work their way out of
poverty. 1.4 billion people globally live on less than £1 a
day.
MRDF is one of the charity partners in the Live Below the Line
initiative, which is being organised by educational group, the
Global Poverty Project. Last year, Live Below the Line in Australia
raised over £320,000.
Revd Alison Tomlin, President of the Methodist Church, said: 'I'm
committed to continuing to working with and for those who face
extreme poverty in any country. I think it would be good for me to
experience a tiny part of what it can be like. Of course, it is
easy for people like me who have choices, but in this way we can
express our determination to stand alongside those in need.'
To sign up to take part in Live Below the Line with MRDF, or to
download a free PowerPoint to show in your church to introduce the
initiative, please visit www.mrdf.org.uk/live or call 020 7467
5132.
Anna Rogers of MRDF lived 'below the line' for a week in February.
You can read more about how she got on at
www.mrdf.org.uk/live.