Christian Aid estimates it will have raised £12m from Christian Aid Week this year, only a mild slip from the previous year total.

Money is still being counted from the week, held in May this year, but a spokesman for Christian Aid said the charity expects the total to come in at £12m. This represents a small fall from the £12.6m raised in 2012, and is also below the £13.4m and £12.5m raised in 2011 and 2010 respectively. Christian Aid Week is a critical income generator for the charity; last year it accounted for 13 per cent of total income raised.

Christian Aid Week mobilises churches, schools and individual supporters in raising money for Christian Aid, but alongside fundraising supporters are also asked to pray for those the charity seeks to help.

This year the charity ran a video alongside Christian Aid Week, promoting a positive image of entrepreneurship in Africa and prompting text donations.

Head of Christian Aid Week Catherine Loy said that the week is a highlight of the charity’s year.

“The fact that £12m was raised just goes to show the generosity of the British people was on show again despite times remaining difficult for many in the UK,” Loy said.

‘We have been encouraged by the stories of communities and churches coming together to raise funds and we’re extremely grateful for all the hard work and time put in by people doing their bit.”

Earlier this year, Christian Aid announced it was training 110 non-fundraising staff in fundraising. It followed the charity’s decision not to hire a dedicated director of fundraising following the departure of Ruth Ruderham from the post in 2011.