Pupils in Denton make a world of difference this Lent

A year seven class from St Thomas More RC College have raised over £1,000 to help communities around the world to grow crops and receive better nutrition as part of CAFOD’s Lent fundraising campaign.

Pupils from St Thomas More RC College, Denton, raised £1,451 when they organised a whole host of events, including sponsored walks, runs and silences, as well as bake sales for the whole school to enjoy when they were left inspired after a visit from CAFOD education volunteer, Monica.

This Lent, CAFOD is working to combat malnutrition in Zimbabwe by providing seeds and farming training for families and communities so that everyone has enough to eat and all donations to CAFOD’s Lent Appeal, up to £5 million, will be doubled by the UK government up until 12 May.

Ms Hague, a teacher at the college, said: “Our college supports CAFOD alongside other charities every year.  CAFOD for our community is the essence of Catholic Social Teachings and so to be a part of the great work they do with the money we help to raise is vital.

“We took part in a workshop led by CAFOD volunteer, Monica, to show us the great projects the money we raise can contribute to.”

CAFOD’s representative in Denton, Ann Wilson, said: “The Lent appeal is such a great way of bringing people together and raising an incredible amount to help others. Well done to all of the children at St Thomas More RC College for their wonderful contributions!”

The funds raised by CAFOD’s Lent appeal will reach an estimated 245,000 people in Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Eritrea and enable communities to grow a better future by providing safe water, supporting communities to plant vegetable gardens and teaching them about good nutrition and hygiene.

Donate to the Lent Appeal until May 12 and make double the difference

 

Bamber Bridge students change the world!

Students from Bamber Bridge have taken on a number of fundraising activities, raising over £1,000 to help communities around the world to grow crops and receive better nutrition as part of this year’s Lent fundraising campaign.

Students from Brownedge St Mary’s Catholic High School, Bamber Bridge, have been holding assemblies, non uniform days and ditching their usual break-time snacks of bread and bagels for a healthier alternative of fruit in an act of solidarity with schoolchildren in Zimbabwe – one of the countries this year’s Lent Appeal focuses on.

The school has raised £1,500 this Lent through these activities and students from across the school took part.

This Lent, CAFOD is working to combat malnutrition in Zimbabwe by providing seeds and farming training for families and communities so that everyone has enough to eat.

In an added boost, all donations to CAFOD’s Lent Appeal, up to £5 million, will be doubled by the UK government up until 12 may – meaning every donation will make double the difference.

Worldwide, one in nine people regularly go hungry. Malnutrition kills almost three million children a year. Even for a child who survives malnutrition, their growth can be stunted, and it can cause irreversible damage to mental development.

Connor, a year ten student who got involved in the school’s activities, said: “It was fun to hand out CAFOD’s stickers at break time and spread a smile!”

Carmel Wanless, the school’s Chaplain, added: “At Brownedge St Mary’s we focus on five key ways we can share God’s love: through kindness, hope, patience, justice and courage – and all of our school family have demonstrated these Gospel values through their fundraising and awareness raising.

“I am constantly humbled by the love they show for others and proud of how they support CAFOD. I am blessed to work with such caring people.”

CAFOD’s representative in Bamber Bridge, Ann Wilson, said: “The Lent appeal is such a great way of bringing people together and raising an incredible amount to help others.

“I’m delighted that the UK government is matching donations made by students like those at Brownedge St Mary’s high school to CAFOD’s work, showing how important the money raised will be for some of the world’s poorest people.”

The funds raised by CAFOD’s Lent Appeal will reach an estimated 245,000 people in Zimbabwe, Zambia and Eritrea and enable communities to grow a better future by providing safe water, supporting communities to plan vegetable gardens and teaching them about good nutrition and hygiene.

 

Donate to the Lent Appeal

Folk night in Blackburn!

Written by CAFOD volunteer, Estefania Gonzalez

Sometimes in CAFOD Salford’s office we are so amazed by the creativity of the people to raise funds for CAFOD. And, we are really grateful for that.

Members of the Blackburn community organised an incredible local folk night with a local folk band, The Moorland Folk, to raise money for CAFOD the 23^rd February at Pleasington Priory and St Paul’s Church.

This 23^rd of February was Family Fast Day, CAFOD has been working to combat malnutrition in Zimbabwe.

CAFOD’s goal is to provide the families with seeds, fencing and farming training so that everyone has enough to eat.

To see examples of creativity as Blackburn community really moves us and we hope to inspire other communities through this.

Martin Child, one of the organisers, talked about the folk night saying that: “We’ve had the Moorland Folk before and we’ve always had a brilliant night with great music.  We’re hoping to raise a lot of money for CAFOD, as we’ve been focusing on the refugee crisis within our parish.”

Dave Higginson, of Moorland Folk band, added: “We’ve played for CAFOD events several times. We wish CAFOD every success with its vital work worldwide, and are happy that we can enjoy a fun musical evening with all the local supporters.”

So, this is also a thank you to everyone who has been involved during this Lent Fast Day, either by praying for the families in Zimbabwe or donating money to CAFOD.

You can still donate to our Family Fast Day Appeal and it will be matched by the UK Government. This means that your donations will be doubled, up to a total of £5 million, making double the difference.