Mary and Joseph Chimwanza's modern Christmas story is all too similar to the Nativity tale. Just as in Biblical times, childbirth is still risky, painful and frightening for women in sub-Saharan Africa.

Every year 287,000 women die in childbirth; 99% in low-income countries. Most deaths can be avoided easily and cheaply through measures which are readily available in the UK.

The Nativity story relies on the kindness of strangers. Please support Maternity Worldwide's Christmas 2019 Campaign with a £27 donation and help us make sure unnecessary deaths in childbirth become consigned to history, rather than remaining a fact of 21st century life.

A donation of any amount will make a huge different but £27 is less than 1% of the amount a typical household in the UK spends in the run-up to Christmas. £27 could provide a safe birth and follow-up care, cover the training of a student midwife for a week or contribute towards the cost of a caesarean delivery.