CHURCHES in Cam and Dursley are uniting in a bid to raise thousands of pounds by the end of next month to support drought-hit African countries.

A concert showcasing the best local musicians will take place on Saturday in a bid to race the final £500 needed to hit the £5,000 target set by Churches Together in Cam and Dursley in partnership with Christian Aid in 2014.

The money will be matched five times over through EU funding with the combined £30,000 total spent on a project working with the poorest and most vulnerable people in 45 villages close to the Sahara Desert in the north of Burkina Faso.

More than £4,500 has been raised by the churches so far organisers are hoping that Saturday’s concert will push that above the target.

Tickets, which cost £5 each are available at churches or to purchase on the door. The fundraising concert will take place at St James Church at 7pm.

If successful, Christian Aid partner ODE will spend the funds on supporting resilient farming for villagers through improved seed and fertilisers, training in farming techniques and providing chickens for food and a source of income when harvests fail.

Dursley Tab minister Simon Helme who was chairman of churches together when the pledge was made, urged the community to back the concert.

He said: “The climate in Burkina Faso is getting drier and drier and hunger has become a painful reality. The five to one match funding means that our contribution can bring about significant improvements in people’s lives – transformation that happens when individuals, churches and communities come together.

“Cam and Dursley have responded really well so far with a range of fundraisers including other concerts, teas and soup lunches and we would urge local people to support us in this final push so together we can make a difference.

“Everyone is welcome, it promises to be a fun evening.”

The concert will include performances by a choir, organist, pianist, string orchestra, singers, an actress and young musicians.