A COUPLE have been honoured with a national award for their dedicated commitment to the world’s most vulnerable people.

Michael and Rowena Webster from Northallerton have been presented with a Diamond Award by Christian Aid in recognition of the crucial role played by supporters.

Michael and Rowena are both very active members of the Northallerton Christian Aid committee.

As well as organising the annual Christian Aid Week events in the town, they also volunteer to speak about the charity’s work in schools and churches across the region and take an active interest in campaigning to change the systems and structures that keep people in poverty.

Michael, who is chair of the Northallerton Christian Aid committee, said: “Tackling poverty and injustice is central to living out the gospel.

“To live in such an unfair world and refuse to do anything about it would be to fail to put our faith into action. When people are critical of the church, my answer is Christian Aid.”

Rowena added: “We have been lucky enough to meet some of the people helped by our support through Christian Aid.

“We have seen what they are doing in such difficult circumstances and the difference they are making. How can we complain about collecting when we see their example to us?”

The charity was born in the wake of the Second World War to help refugees across Europe and during Christian Aid Week, which runs until May 20, is appealing once again to the public to help it support those people forced from their homes by conflict and crisis.

To donate visit caweek.org, call 08080 006 00, or texting ‘GIVE’ to 70040 to give £5.