This year as the Cafod SW CAT co-ordinator I attended a Campaigns meeting where the idea of an event to raise money for Water [filtration, Wells, etc for the Developing Nations] was discussed amongst other ideas. I was especially stimulated by the sponsored walk idea around a body of water.
Here at St Anns we have a generous heart, and are located quite near water resources such as the Sale Water Park, the Bridgewater Canal and Chorlton Water Park. The idea of a sponsored walk to coincide with water awareness week was put forward to Fr John at the Faith and Justice meeting and agreed.
I contacted the CAFOD Salford office for resources and to tell of the event and was encouraged to take it to a wider audience and to involve not only the SW CAT but also the SE CAT. This we did and although we were prepared for a March deadline we were encouraged to open the discussion and organization to Parishes further afield than just St Anns. This was easier as now it meant that the organization of permissions and a CAFOD stand and marshalls could be shared. The CAFOD Salford Office also devolved the Heaton Park Walk this year and were on board to support local CAT sponsored Walk ventures. This meant that the original flavor of a sponsored walk could be more inclusive and involve team donations for those who were not able to collect sponsorships. The meeting included several members from local Parishes and all in all 5 Parishes were represented on the Day, and several dogs including Hugo.
The walk followed an exit from St Anns to the Towpath of the Bridgewater Canal and a sojourn down Hawthorn Lane until Turn Moss and a meander along the banks of the Mersey until the far side of Chorlton Water Park where a CAFOD Stall had been set up with refreshments for the walkers and for sale items. The turnout was about 40-50 on the day and a great amount was raised with most sponsorship being collected and delivered to CAFOD office in time for the Government doubling pledge.
St Anns have received most of their sponsorship money and the last total for St Anns had amounted to about £1,300.
Mary Clark from CAFOD Salford office writes on May 15th– “this brings the total from your Parish to an incredible £1299.55! A fantastic effort. Well done to all those who walked in witness and thanks to those who sponsored you.”
CAFOD stall at Chorlton Water Park April 22 2012
- Stephen Blatch CAFOD SW co-ordinator
- gathering at St Anns April 22 2012
- Fr John and some of St Anns Parishioners
- CAFOD stall at Chorlton Water Park April 22 2012
- Anne, Bea and Hugo lead the walk along the mersey
- Christine acting as a marshall at Chorlton Water Park April22
- Chorlton Water Park April22 2012
For details of other parishes who took part take a look at this link http://cafodsalford.wordpress.com/2012/04/24/walk-for-water-in-chorlton-water-park/
As we get a final total [approximately] I will let you know the total raised by the event.
GBU
stephen
catchatsalford 