Call to help poorest countries

Monklands residents are being urged to join the Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund’s (SCIAF) Wee Box, Big Change Lent appeal to raise money for some of the poorest people in the world.

This year the UK Government has committed to matching pound for pound all donations given to the international aid agency’s annual appeal before May 8.

This means that all donations made to the charity will go twice as far by helping to give thousands of people in developing countries the practical help they need to “overcome poverty, hunger, war, disease and natural disasters, so they can survive and thrive in the future”.

Last year the appeal raised over £1 million for SCIAF, helping people in 15 of the world’s poorest countries.

SCIAF director Alistair Dutton said:“Everything given to SCIAF’s Wee Box Lent appeal means poor families can get the help they need, like good seeds, farming tools, training and small loans, so they can grow food, earn an income, and have a better future.

“Having the UK Aid Match again this year is a fantastic bonus too.”

To get your own SCIAF Wee Box, or for more information about the campaign, visit www.sciaf.org.uk or call 0141 354 5555.