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Published on 26 February 2025

The Mead family has been at the heart of Christian Aid’s mission for four generations.

From door-to-door collections to church events, they've tirelessly fundraised to help create lasting change. Their story is one of faith, resilience and hope passed down through the years.

They're part of a wider movement that has kept Christian Aid’s work alive for 80 years. Through times of war and crisis to moments of joy, supporters like them have ensured that love and justice reach every corner of the world.

In their own words: The Mead family's remarkable story

Join this inspiring family in making a difference

With seven days, there are so many ways to fund lasting change. This Christian Aid Week, what will you do?

A legacy of giving

Mike and Linda’s journey with Christian Aid began in the 1950s, with Mike’s mother being the first to get involved. She believed in putting faith into action and saw Christian Aid Week as a chance to do just that.

For her, it wasn’t just about raising money, it was about standing with people facing poverty and injustice. That belief has continued to shape their family, generation after generation. 

Image credits and information i
Mike and Linda looking family photo albums.
Mike and Linda stood at the table, looking through family photo albums.

I think it was sort of the late eighties into the nineties that we were starting to do the house to house in our road. We were very involved with the church, and within that church life, we were involved with things like Christian Aid Week and collecting. But then as our children became more involved, the Christian aid area representative asked me if I would become the South End Christian Aid treasurer-that would have been early 2000.

- Mike.

Mike and Linda carried on the tradition, leading collections and organising events in their local church. They raised their children with the same values, teaching them that hope isn’t just something we hold onto—it’s something we create.

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The strength of family fundraising

For this family, fundraising for Christian Aid has been more than a commitment—it’s a shared passion that has brought them even closer together.

We're a close family anyway… But I think that having some shared passion like that, such an important passion that we could all be part of, has been wonderful for us as a family.

- Caroline.

Now, their daughter Caroline and her own children are continuing the legacy. Whether it’s running fundraising events or supporting Christian Aid Week in new ways, they’re finding their own path while staying true to the family’s roots. Both Caroline and her daughter, Emily, have featured in Christian Aid magazine, and her son Ethan has completed his share of fundraising too, doing a sponsored scoot around his local park at only 5-years-old. 

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Ethan, aged 5, dressed as a super hero after scooting around his local park to raise money for Christian Aid.
Ethan, aged 5, dressed as a super hero and holding a Christian Aid donation bucket. He had just scooted around his local park to raise money for Christian Aid.
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Emily featuring in the Christian Aid Christmas resources, 2024.
Emily in the Christian Aid Christmas resources 2024.

So, I featured in the Christian Aid Week Resources when I was 18. And then all these years later, we've come full circle and then you've [Emily] featured on them for the Christmas resources.

- Caroline.
Celebrate a changemaker in your community!

Know a Christian Aid fundraiser, activist, or church group making a real difference? Nominate them for the Power of Hope Awards and help us shine a light on their incredible impact. Find out how we’re honouring our most dedicated supporters this May!

A shared purpose

For Mike, Linda, Caroline, Emily and Ethan, fundraising has always been about more than just raising money. It’s been a way to unite people, strengthening relationships and fostering a shared sense of purpose.

It's been a really wonderful thing for me to feel that I'm part of a much wider family, the Christian Aid family. Whether that was as a volunteer, a supporter or a member of staff, I've always felt part of something much bigger when I've been involved with Christian Aid.

- Caroline.
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Ethan, Caroline and Emily looking at old photo albums and Christian Aid magazines.
Ethan, Caroline and Emily sat around a table, looking at old photo albums and Christian Aid magazines.

That feeling of belonging is what has sustained their passion. Even as times change and our approach to fundraising evolves, the values at its core—dignity, equality, justice and love.

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Hope for the future

As Christian Aid marks 80 years of tackling poverty and injustice, stories like these remind us why this work is so vital. Their dedication proves that even the smallest acts of kindness can create lasting change across generations. Hope is not just a word—it’s something we nurture and build together. 

It's always been a really important part of my faith, because I believe that Jesus was the man that stood up for the poor and the marginalised and spoke out for those who had no voice. And I really feel for me, as part of my faith, that's where I am called to be as well.

- Caroline.

Voices like the Mead family’s have shaped Christian Aid. As we look to the future, their story is a powerful call to action—urging us to keep speaking up, standing together and putting faith into action.

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Caroline featuring in Christian Aid magazine in 2003.
Caroline in Christian Aid magazine in 2003.

I think Christian Aid made me understand my faith better. It gave my faith a purpose, it helped me read the Bible in a different way and see that there was a need to be active and to challenge the injustices in this world.

- Caroline.

More from Christian Aid

80 years of hope

For decades, hope has united us in the fight against poverty and injustice.

Pedal power across generations: Father and son fundraising journey

A father and son embarked on an extraordinary 3,400-mile cycling journey to raise nearly £5,000 for Christian Aid.

Volunteer with us

Become a Christian Aid volunteer and make a huge difference to people living in poverty worldwide.