Aid charity's annual appeal breaks all previous records
A charity appeal has raised three times as much as last year – thanks to match funding.
The Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund (Sciaf) Wee Box Lent drive coined in a record-breaking £3.4 million for the charity’s work with some of the poorest people in the world.
The total is three times more than the previous highest amount of £964,000 and comes as the charity marks its 50th anniversary.
This year’s appeal benefitted from UK Aid Match funding from the British government, which meant that every pound donated was doubled.
International development minister Baroness Verma visited SCIAF’s Glasgow office to hear about the charity’s history and how the money raised will help women farmers in Africa and poor people around the world.
Over the last 50 years we’ve given millions of families a better chance in life and hope for the future
She said: “Sciaf may be a smaller charity but they are making a massive difference to the lives of people in some of the world’s poorest countries. It is a fantastic example of the immense contribution Scotland is making to the UK’s international development effort and what we can achieve working together.”
This year’s appeal was launched by the charity’s president, Bishop Joseph Toal, singing stars Susan Boyle and Nicholas McDonald, broadcaster Kaye Adams and children from schools across Scotland.
Sciaf's head of communications and education Philippa Bonella added: “The UK government’s match funding has made a huge difference and means we can help many more people to free themselves from hunger, poverty and injustice.
“I’d like to thank everyone, especially schools and parishes, who’ve worked really hard to make this year’s appeal very special. During visits all round Scotland we’ve heard of many different and creative ways that children, parishioners and other supporters have raised so much money for Sciaf's work. It’s really inspirational.”
"Together over the last 50 years we’ve given millions of families a better chance in life and hope for the future. We won’t stop while they still need our help.”
