Big Bike to Brekkie was back at the Cathedral in Winchester this morning (Saturday 11 May) but this time with a twist – the Chain of Solidarity: cycle for Sierra Leone.
In the run up to Christian Aid Week 2019, the organisation is sharing stories from its maternal health work in Sierra Leone. Since the Ebola crisis in that country, 10 women will die every day in childbirth and 1 in 9 children will die before their 5th birthday. The associated campaign action is to call on the Chancellor to push the IMF to write off the loans they made to the African country to fight the Ebola crisis.
Winchester & Chandler's Ford MP Steve Brine took part, along with his 11-year old daughter Emily. They cycled into Winchester from home and met up with riders from Basingstoke, Salisbury and the New Forest.
Alongside the fundraising and a gathering at the Cathedral Refectory for bacon butties, this year saw a ‘chain’ of cyclists outside the Cathedral’s West Doors to highlight the 'Drop the Debt' campaign for Sierra Leone. This included a ‘blessing of the bikes’ by Dean Catherine.
Steve Brine MP said; "I have supported this event for a few years now and the Sierra Leone campaign link was something I wanted to support. It's always good to get on my bike and do the exercise of course but to join up with like-minded Christian campaigners on such a vital issue made it extra special."
"I will be writing to the Chancellor with the message of the 'Drop the Debt' campaign and I hope to raise the issue in Parliament this Christian Aid week 12-18 May."
Mr Brine was, until recently, the Public Health Minister with responsibility for Britain's crisis response to international health events. He had responsibility, working with the Department for International Development, for sending UK help to Sierra Leone when the Ebola outbreak struck.
Pictured; The group outside Winchester Cathedral with Dean Catherine and a selection of shots from the event.
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