Decades-long commitment of voluntary groups celebrated by CAFOD this Lent

Bishop Philip Pargeter with St Mary's CAFOD team

CAFOD is celebrating some of its longest standing local volunteer groups across England and Wales this Lent. Since the charity was formed in 1962, CAFOD has had its voice amplified thanks to the commitment of a strong and passionate volunteer base, which is currently made up of 5,000 volunteers across England and Wales.

One method of volunteering for the charity comes from working to fundraise and campaign within parishes, particularly during Lent as part of the charity's Lent Appeal, and many parishioners have chosen to form 'CAFOD groups'.

Local representatives from across the dioceses of England and Wales are recognizing some of the groups for a combination of 30 and 40 years of volunteering, campaigning and fundraising for the charity.

One such group, from Holy Spirit parish in Nottingham, are this year celebrating their 42nd year of support after they were inspired to begin fundraising after a talk in 1975 - by a volunteer who had travelled overseas - to the Union of Catholic Mothers group at the parish.

Many groups from across the country are still running today, including the Holy Family CAFOD group in Welwyn Garden City who have been involved for over 40 years, the 30-year-old Chester-based group, and others such as Margaret Clitherow parish, Leigh, and St Mary's, Harborne, who between them have spent over sixty years supporting the charity.

One founding member, Joan Reeves, who helped to form the group at St Mary's, Harborne, in the 1980s, said: "We decided to form as a campaigning group in the 1980s and since then we have evolved quite a lot. We started by educating ourselves about the causes of poverty overseas, particularly about climate change, and since then we've held various fundraising events too.

"We have lots of support from CAFOD in the form of their resources and we've attended campaigning marches over the years, as well as smaller scale events such as collecting 5ps during Advent, signing petitions and supporting CAFOD's Lent Appeal."

CAFOD's volunteers offer a huge variety of skills and knowledge in a bid to help transform lives across the world.

CAFOD's Head of Parish Participation and Volunteering, Jo Kitterick, added: "The commitment of our volunteers at CAFOD is truly incredible! Even though many of the groups are in different areas of England and Wales, we all share CAFOD's values and belief that we are all global neighbours that share our common home, and every person should be treated with dignity, respect and have access to their basic needs. It is that belief which drives us.

"We are so grateful to the many CAFOD groups across the country and the individuals who have kept them running for so many years. It is a brilliant achievement.

"I'm delighted that this Lent, the UK government is matching donations made by dedicated groups and individuals from across England and Wales 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, which is supported by CAFOD groups and individuals across the country, 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.

This year, 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.

See more pictures on ICN's Facebook page.

Donate to CAFOD's Lent Appeal: cafod.org.uk/lent