Swinney thanks Christian Aid for its work on 80th anniversary of its founding

Scotland’s First Minister has praised the work of charity Christian Aid on the 80th anniversary of its founding.

John Swinney spoke at a special service at St Giles Cathedral in Edinburgh on Saturday .

The charity was founded in the wake of the Second World War as the UK struggled with the refugee crisis in Europe.

Since then, the organisation has helped to found the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC), which regularly raises funds for those affected by disasters around the world, and campaigned on social issues.

The First Minister said: “On the 80th anniversary of Christian Aid, I want to recognise their incredible legacy of supporting those most in need through their international development and humanitarian response work.

“The Scottish Government greatly values our longstanding partnership with Christian Aid.

“I want to thank the organisation for their continued input to our Humanitarian Emergency Fund and for the delivery of impactful climate justice, humanitarian and development projects over the many years we have worked together.”

The charity’s UK and global church ambassador, the Very Reverend Sally Foster-Fulton, a former moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, said the anniversary was a “milestone”.

She said Christian Aid only continues to exist because “there is still extreme poverty and social injustice all around us in the world”.

She said: “Every human has the right to live life in all its fullness.

“The service was about reflecting on what Christian Aid has achieved to date while recommitting to the future, as there’s so much still to do.

“We stay hopeful that an end to global poverty is possible and the unstoppable power of hope drives us on.”