Caritas Advent Appeal set to support thousands of families across the diocese
Saturday 18th December 2021This year, many families are struggling with money. It’s really hard for some people to pay their bills, buy enough food and they’re worrying about the cost of things like heating.
As the uncertainty surrounding the pandemic rumbles on, compounding pressures take their toll on people’s mental health – children, as well as the grown-ups.
But there is hope. Every year, Caritas Salford – the official charity of the Diocese of Salford – helps thousands of children and families across our diocese with practical support; like giving them food parcels, or helping to pay for essential items and emergencies, like a new washing machine, so their children can have clean clothes for school.
Caritas also employs members of staff, who are trained and experienced, to work with families when things are tough.
To explain a little more about how their work helps people of all walks of life, Caritas has produced a short film highlighting how their life-changing work helps 5,000 families across our diocese each year.
Viewers will meet Jessie, Amira and Kaka, and Rochelle, who explain how their lives have changed, in different ways, following support from the charity:
- 10-year-old Jessie (played by an actor), whose mother left the family home when she was young, has learned to enjoy school and spend time with her friends again.
- Amira and Kaka, refugees from Syria and Turkey, now in their own home, have learned English as a new language and are able to send their children to school for the first time.
- Rochelle and her four-year-old son were sofa-surfing with friends and relatives, but are now looking forward to their second, settled Christmas in their own home with a new baby.
Caritas Salford hopes their life stories will encourage people to think about children and families this Christmas, what it means to be #Loved and how they can help by setting up a regular direct debit or donating via the website, or by texting LOVED to 70580 to donate £20* or however much you can afford.
Patrick O’Dowd, Director of Caritas Salford, said: “Even before the pandemic, as many as one in three children in parts of our area were experiencing severe deprivation and Covid has only increased the challenges for people further. This year, we’re putting a spotlight on some of the ways in which Caritas Salford help children and families – including those facing crisis and challenge in Greater Manchester and Lancashire.
“The past two years have provided families with the toughest of challenges and there is a long way to go to re-build lives affected by poverty and the pandemic. We are proud to have helped people get through these extraordinary times; helping them to independent accommodation, providing therapy services or simply being a shoulder to lean on, are just some of the ways we’ve assisted.
“The people of Greater Manchester and Lancashire are some of the nation’s most generous people. Last year our Miracle of Kindness Advent campaign helped raise £80,000 towards our work. With support this year, we would like to achieve even more if we can to help people like Amira and Kaka, Jessie and Rochelle.”
To find out more about the campaign, to donate, or seek support, please visit https://www.caritassalford.org.uk/advent-2021/
*Texts cost £20 plus one standard rate message and you’ll be opting in to occasionally hear more about Caritas’ work. To give £20 without hearing from Caritas, text #LOVEDNOINFO to 70580.
Tagged | Advent | Caritas | Caritas Salford | Charity | Diocese | Society
