Plea to support MAG’s Clear Mines, Grow Crops appeal

Ashuta is pictured with her Sorghum plants, grown on a former minefield

Richard Outram, Volunteer Network Speaker with the Manchester-based mine clearance and education charity, the Mines Advisory Group, has sent invitations to almost 100 churches across Oldham and Saddleworth asking them to support the charity’s 'Clear Mines, Grow Crops’ appeal as Harvest Festival approaches.

Richard said: “Traditionally, church Harvest Festival services celebrate the wonderful food that is produced for us to eat and parishioners thank God for his beneficence.

"But imagine living in a country where, in addition to the back breaking hard work involved in cultivating the land, you also face the constant risk of being killed by a landmine as you till the soil or harvest the crop.

"This is the situation faced by many farmers around the world, most of them women.”

MAG is seeking the support this Harvest Festival of clergy and parishioners for this appeal to raise money to carry out mine clearance operations and mine safety educational programmes in agricultural regions of the world where the danger from landmines remains real.

Ellie Coult, Community Fundraiser at MAG said, “Parents around the world are presented with an impossible choice.

"Risk life or limb farming mine ridden land, or allow their children to go hungry. It’s no choice at all.

"Often, families struggle to grow enough food when mines prevent them from using every inch of their land.

"Support MAG’s Clear Mines, Grow Crops appeal this Harvest and grant communities who currently live in fear, access to a safe and prosperous future.”

All monies raised will go to support the efforts of Manchester-based charity MAG.

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