THE Diocese of Salisbury has been thanked for its 'phenomenal' support of the South Sudan Appeal.

Christian Aids chief executive, Loretta Minghella, visited the East African country to meet the people fleeing civil war and the aid projects made possible by the £73,000 raised by the diocese ahead of Christian Aid Week.

Ms Minghella, an honorary Canon at Salisbury Cathedral, said: "The visit brings home just how vital the support of the people of the Diocese of Salisbury is, has been and will be: their donations are helping to save and transform lives.

"I heard some heart-breaking stories of people having to leave their homes and flee the fighting into the surrounding wetlands.

"Many of them walked through the water for five days, carrying their elderly and disabled with them.

"They slept on islands with only waterlilies to eat. At some points the water came up to their necks and tragically, many children drowned."

Since fighting broke out in 2013, 82 humanitarians have been killed in the country making it the most dangerous country for aid workers in the world.

Christian Aid and its local partner UNIDO have been helping people find a sustainable food sources by providing fishing hooks and developing demonstration gardens to show what produce can be grown with right seeds and skills.

As Christian Aid Week celebrates its 60th anniversary supporters across Dorset and Wiltshire have organised fundraisers from cream teas, sponsored walks, a fitness class, Big Brekkies and collections.

Over the past five years the diocese has raised over £591,000 during Christian Aid Week to help those those trapped in poverty.

Ms Minghella said: "On behalf of Christian Aid and our partners working under extremely difficult conditions in South Sudan, I want to thank everyone who is helping to turn fear into hope and giving people a chance of life before death. We are humbled and inspired by your response."