Parishioners of St Vincent's raise £4k

Parishioners of St Vincent’s, Rochdale with the parish totaliser

Parishioners of St Vincent’s, Rochdale clubbed together throughout Advent and raised enough money to fund a health centre in a remote area overseas.

The parish community of St Vincent’s decided to fundraise through CAFOD – the Catholic Agency for Overseas Development – World Gifts programme.

When parish priest, Fr James Manock was researching the options available, one in particular jumped out at him - covering the running costs of a health centre.

He said: “I looked at the list of gifts available, and one jumped out at me – the health centre gift for £4,000. I wondered if we, as a parish, could raise that amount over Advent and the Christmas season.”

The parish got to work in launching the appeal and even had a visual parish totaliser made up of cows, rather than cash. Week by week, with every £150 raised, the parishioners responded with immense generosity and the cows multiplied. 

By mid-January, the parish had not just reached the target of £4,000 but had exceeded it by almost £300.

This charity gift funded by local people will pay for the running costs of a life-saving clinic in a remote overseas community. Their kindness will keep the clinic stocked with medicines, medical equipment and even provides petrol for the clinic ambulance, giving vulnerable people vital access to much needed healthcare.

Fr Manock added: “This is a wonderful manifestation of the generosity of our parishioners, and our desire to celebrate Christmas not just for ourselves, and not just with words but with deeds that truly help people in need. This gift will make a real difference to the health and lives of others, suffering great poverty, and also reminds us what we are meant to be as a Catholic Parish – a place of charity and kindness, especially to those most in need.”