A record-breaking turnout at a St John’s Wood book and record fair has generated an all-time high sum for a major global charity appeal. St John’s Wood Church recently hosted the annual fair as part of Christian Aid Week 2026 in support of vulnerable communities around the world.
Co-organiser Martin Aldred said: “Every year, during this appeal, people across Britain and Ireland have seven days to make a difference and support their global neighbours, in a celebration of hope for a fairer world.
“We have held the book fair since 1982, expanding to include CDs, DVDs and the increasingly popular vinyl records. A substantial part of this year’s sales was contributed by John Maguire, who collected and priced all the records and CDs.
“It’s an annual event, popular with the public and local booksellers that has contributed up to £2,500 each year. So, we were delighted to collect a record total of £2,850 from over 170 customers this year!”
The money raised will help Christian Aid and its partners to support communities to find practical and sustainable ways out of poverty. This year’s appeal, from May 10 to 16, focused on work in Nairobi, Kenya, where intense poverty means families have a daily struggle to feed their children.
With secure jobs hard to find, and most people earning less than a dollar a day to cover school costs, rent and water, some days there isn’t enough for a meal. But with tools, seeds and specialist training from Christian Aid’s partner, Beacon of Hope, families are learning how to make the most of a small space in the city to grow a steady supply of fresh vegetables to cook or sell. To find out more about projects like this, visit caid.org.uk.
