Latest news with #CHARITY
Daily Record
01-05-2025
- General
- Daily Record
Scots charity chief 'inspired' by Pope Francis's dedication to children in poverty
Magnus MacFarlane-Barrow met the late pontiff just weeks before he died and said the religious leader was an inspiration. A CHARITY boss who met Pope Francis just weeks before his death has praised the pontiff for his dedication to children in poverty. Magnus MacFarlane-Barrow, founder of Scottish charity Mary's Meals, said the Catholic leader was an 'incredibly warm man' and a 'challenging Pope '. During a trip to Rome in February MacFarlane-Barrow attended the Vatican World Leaders Summit on Children's Rights where he met the Pope for the last time. He said: 'There were about 40 people in the room, it was a whole day event and he came round and greeted every person in the room even though he was clearly struggling with his health at that time. ' He was in a wheelchair and had difficulty breathing. He surprised us as I thought he would give an opening speech and then leave us to it but he stayed for most of the day. 'It was a consistent thing through his whole pontificate. He was very passionate about children and about the poorest people in the world and wanted to be part of that conversation we were all having.' On another occasion the Pope encouraged the charity chief to 'keep going forward' with his charity, which feeds hundreds of thousands of children in some of the poorest countries every day. MacFarlane-Barrow said: 'Not long after he was made Pope I met him for the first time. He was a really warm man with this incredible way of encouraging people. 'He told me to 'just keep going', he kept telling me to 'go forward'. 'I think he was an incredibly challenging Pope. I felt very challenged by him personally, in a good way. 'He really gave us all a good shake and reminded us that if we claim to be Christian it can't just be words. It needs to be actions and the way we live our lives.' Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
Yahoo
03-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Lent lunch events to help raise money for Christian Aid
CHARITY supporters in Wimborne are helping to mark the 80th anniversary of Christian Aid with a series of Lent lunches. Wimborne Christian Aid Group is hosting Lent Lunches at Wimborne Methodist Church, starting on Tuesday, March 11 and continuing weekly until April 15. The group has already raised £380.50 this year after holding a quiz night. Group member Mike Lunt said: 'These are always friendly events. People can come any time between 12.30pm and 1.15pm and enjoy bread, cheese and fruit with a brief 'Thought for the Day' around 1pm. There's no charge though donation envelopes will be available." The organisation was founded in 1945 to give aid to refugees in Europe after the Second World War. Since then it has provided humanitarian relief and long-term development support to marginalised communities worldwide, while highlighting suffering, tackling injustice and championing people's rights. Mike added: 'Over the past 80 years, Christian Aid has stood up for communities in crisis and supported people living in poverty, and this is now needed more than ever. "As tragic events unfold across the world, from Gaza to Ukraine and South Sudan, the money raised through these lunches will help this vital work to continue.'
