This is a text-only version of an article first published on Monday, 9 April 2018. Information shown on this page may no longer be current.
The Bishop of Oxford and the Revd Dr Keith Hebden presented a letter against hunger in the UK to the Prime Minister's constituency office in Witney on Wednesday 16 April. The letter, signed by 46 Bishops and over 600 clergy, calls for urgent Government action on food poverty.
It is the latest move by the End Hunger Fast campaign which has seen people across the country go without food during the Christian season of Lent. A party of local and national End Hunger Fast supporters met at Witney Methodist Church for a short service hosted by the Methodist Minister, the Revd Richard Donoghue. The group then visited the Prime Minister's office to deliver the letter. The letter says that this Lent has been "a time of sorrowful and deep reflection" on the huge rise of those using foodbanks in recent months.
The day took place on the day that the Trussell Trust released new and shocking figures to show that more than 900,000 people are now using food banks.
Amongst those attending will be the Revd Dr Keith Hebden, Associate Minister at St Mark's and St Peter's Mansfield and the founder of the End Hunger Fast campaign, who has been fasting for the entire 40 days of Lent. The Bishop of Oxford fasted for a day on 19 March in support of the campaign, together with colleagues including his three fellow bishops (Dorchester, Buckingham and Reading) in the Diocese during a meeting of the Bishop's Staff.
He said then:"Being hungry is one of the most miserable experiences and being hungry day after day, month after month, with all its consequences of illness, weakness and inability to work, must be desperate.
One day's fast doesn't seem much to remind myself of all that and to make me try by any means to end the scourge of global hunger. "This week he added: "I am very pleased to support the End Hunger Fast campaign, though of course I regret that it is necessary in 21 st century Britain. " For more information on End Hunger Fast and the letter, contact Andy May 07917 824009For the Trussell Trust, contact Molly Hodson, PR Manager - 01722 580198 - molly. hodson@trusselltrust. org or Hannah McMullen - Press officer - 01722 580191 - Hannah. mcmullen@trusselltrust. org ;