Skipton walkers add one hundred miles to around the world refugee solidarity walk

Skipton walkers add one hundred miles to around the world charity challenge

A group of Skipton locals have joined thousands of others to help complete a 24,900-mile walk around the world in solidarity with refugees.

Walking in solidarity with refugees

 

 

On 8 July, over fifteen supporters of the international development charity CAFOD contributed 128 miles to the challenge as they completed a walk down a sunny canal side to Silsden, where they met with another group of walkers coming from Keighley.

Catholics from England and Wales have been supporting the campaign, launched by Pope Francis in September 2017, and have already walked over 24,900 miles – the distance around the world. And now they are aiming to walk the equivalent of the distance again. The campaign calls on the Prime Minister to ensure that the UK takes a lead during UN refugee negotiations to ensure that people forced to flee their homes are treated with dignity.

Sheila Gregory, one of the walkers, said: “All of us felt the need to walk in solidarity with refugees fleeing war, persecution and poverty around the world.

“In a poignant moment, we stopped at the memorial to the Polish airmen and stood in silence to remember all who have died far from their homes.

“We also carried with us a Lampedusa Cross, made me a carpenter on the Island from the wood of a wrecked boat which had carried refugees.”

CAFOD local representative in Leeds, Bronagh Daly, said:

“We want to say a massive thank you to the community in Skipton for their walk. They came together and showed local leaders that protecting refugees and migrants is an important issue to their communities.

“Share the Journey will deliver a powerful message to world leaders that we want new global agreements that ensure refugees and migrants can live fairly and with dignity.”

Find out how you can join the campaign at cafod.org.uk/sharethejourney

Garforth parishioner raises £430 at Summer Garden Party

St Benedict’s, Garforth parishioner Andrea has raised just over £430 at a recent Summer Garden Party in aid of CAFOD’s work to support the world’s poorest families.

Summer Fundraising Fun in Garforth

Andrea has organised parties like this over the last few years and also volunteers as a CAFOD Parish Volunteer in her local church, helping to raise awareness of CAFOD during the Lenten and Harvest Fast Day appeals. Andrea also liaises with several other CAFOD supporters in the local area who help others to pray and campaign in response to the cry of the poor

 

Andrea told us the fundraising event was a success, “ I am delighted to say that we had an enjoyable and rewarding day on Saturday.  We had 68 guests and helpers, everyone out in the garden thanks to the perfect weather. I shall be  sending a cheque to CAFOD for the £400 raised on the day and a further £30+ for donations from recent pyramid boxes.”

CAFOD Parish Volunteer, Andrea thanks everyone who helped and attended the Summer Garden Party

If you would like to organise a fundraising event like this, here are our ‘fundraising how-to guide’ to help you get started.

 

If you would like to get more involved with your parish and support prayer, campaigning or giving please register your interest using our volunteer sign up form.

A new experience for me: Meeting International CAFOD Staff

(article written by Office Volunteer, Rachael)

On Thursday the 28^th of June, I had the pleasure of meeting Michele and Fergus who work with CAFOD in Sudan. At first, I felt slightly nervous as well as excited. I did some research before they arrived which allowed me to prepare my questions and learn more about the situation in Sudan. On the day it was a lovely sunny day, we had a talk given by Fergus and Michele, which was incredibly interesting.

The talk was to help raise awareness of the work going on in Sudan.  This was followed by a shared lunch, which was fun and allowed me to meet all the volunteers who were there and to chat with Fergus and Michele.

It was also a lovely atmosphere and it was great to see everyone having a good time and getting to know each other.   Furthermore, I had the privilege to interview Michele and I was able to ask a variety of questions.

Meeting Michele and Fergus from CAFOD’s Africa team yesterday

 

 

Question 1 Humanitarian Emergency is it still on-going?– “It is still a very big issue we are dealing with many different issues, 700,000 refugees from South Sudan and displaced people and we need to respond to those people.”

 

Question 2 Emergency Programme- “Still very effective, the emergency has continued because of fighting, famine and we are helping by providing support such as hygiene, clean water and food. If not people would die, with CAFOD we have been able to provide basic support such as clean water, people appreciate this.”

Question 3 A clinic for malnourished children in Garsila, Central Darfur supported by the ACT programme- has the clinic grown and or developed. – “I worked with a nutrition programme also CAFOD is providing support for the children and the family. Hygiene training, supporting breastfeeding and providing direct support has been effective.”

 

Question 4 is war Still a major issue. – “War is still a big issue in Darfur there is still fighting causing people to loose property and lively hoods”.

Question 5 What are the newest projects that CAFOD Sudan are working on  and what projects are most important to you personally or are all projects viewed as important?- “ CAFOD Sudan are responding to refugees, supporting poor communities, helping grow food and get involved with education especially in Africa. Most important is working with communities, we don’t have a hand-outs approach only if lifesaving requires it, we encourage community involvement.”

 

If you would like to find out more about CAFOD’s work in Sudan click here  CAFOD Sudan