BISHOP of Blackburn Julian Henderson this weekend officially launched his 2014 Harvest Appeal to supporting hard-pressed communities in two countries 6,.000 miles apart.

The cash will go to Angola in South-West Africa and Myanmar, formerly Burma, in South East-Asia.

Last year’s ‘Duck and Muck Appeal’ raised £25,000 by providing ducks for eggs and meat in Bangladesh and support for better farming techniques Tanzania.

The Bishop’s Harvest Appeal is an annual initiative and has raised hundreds of thousands of pounds over the years.

This is the first since Bishop Julian was appointed as the leader of the Church of England in Lancashire in October.

He joined organiser Arton Medd and the Bishop of Lancaster Geoff Pearson the preview the ‘Sharing Harvest Joy Appeal’ at the Diocesan Summer Festival in Lytham on a special stand.

Bishop Julian said: “Although 6,000 miles divide them, families in Angola and Myanmar know what it is to be hungry, often struggling as harvests are poor or fail completely.

"While it is one thing to look after needy neighbours who are close at hand, it is all too easy to overlook the needs of neighbours who are at least as needy but who live far away.

“This is why I am pleased that the proceeds of the Harvest Appeal for 2014 are to improve things appreciably for people in Angola and Myanmar who are having to scratch along from day to day, often with next to nothing, simply in order to survive.”

People can contribute through their Anglican parish church or school; by visiting the Diocese of Blackburn website www.blackburn.anglican.org and searching ‘harvest appeal’; contacting the Rev Gary Lewis, The Vicarage, 5 Lancaster Road, Cockerham, Lancaster LA2 OEB. (Tel 01524 791390); emailing arton.medd@btinternet.com; or by contributing directly to ‘Bishop’s Harvest Appeal’, Church House, Cathedral Close, Blackburn BB1 5AA’ (cheques payable to ‘Blackburn DBF).

Schools and children’s groups looking for fund-raising ideas should visit www.bdeducation.org.uk and search for ‘harvest appeal’.