Lancashire: Nine-year old dreams up fundraising project for CAFOD

Amy, Hannah and Mrs Chai

A 'remarkable' nine-year-old from Crosby in Lancashire has been helping to transform lives across the world by raising funds for CAFOD.

After reading a leaflet about how the charity helped communities overseas to access clean water, then seven-year-old Amy knew she had to do something to make a difference.

Since then, she has organised a raffle within her school, Ursuline Catholic Primary, each year during CAFOD's Lent appeal. In an added boost, this year the UK government up until 12 May will double all donations to CAFOD's Lent Appeal up to £5 million, meaning every donation will make double the difference.

Amy spends her lunchtimes promoting and selling tickets for the raffle, which has prizes such as Easter eggs, sweets and teddy bears.

Amy said: "We like raising money to help other children who aren't as lucky as we are. We have been doing this for two years and each year it has got bigger. We hope to raise even more money this year during Lent. We are really pleased that the Government is going to double what we raise!"

The fundraising effort is a family affair, with Amy's Mum, Grandma and younger sister Hannah, aged seven, following Amy's lead to collect prizes and decorate them with cellophane and ribbon.

Amy's Grandma Annette, added: "Amy really is quite remarkable. I'm involved with CAFOD, but it's my granddaughter who inspires me. At such a young age, she has such a compassionate, far-seeing attitude and is very aware that not everyone is as lucky as she is. I might be biased, but I think she's brilliant!"

CAFOD's local representative in Crosby, Ged Edwards, said: "It's fantastic to hear about Amy's work and commitment. She's not only making a huge difference to the lives of those in developing countries, but inspiring her peers at school to look outwards and stand in solidarity with those who have less than themselves."

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.

Find out more at: cafod.org.uk/lent