Meet the volunteer - Kate and Hannah

What inspired you to get involved?

Mum and Daughter Kate and Hannah are parish volunteers from West Yorkshire.

We have been volunteering with CAFOD since 2010.

We’ve organised and taken part in a variety of events from Fairtrade bake sales to Lenten soup meals to the Lent walking challenge, but we’ve also found that even something simple like asking parishioners to sign a petition, sharing Fairtrade recipes or handing out prayer cards can have a real impact. We’ve also been involved in campaigns such as Stick With Foncho, the Big IF Campaign, and the Eyes of the World. We really enjoy making creative and colourful displays and often have been able to get the local primary school children involved to add their artwork.

What is the best thing about volunteering?

One of the best things about volunteering for CAFOD has been getting to know our fellow parishioners better through hosting events like Fairtrade Chocolate Tasting mornings. We’ve also made really good friends in our parish CAFOD group. It’s been lovely to work together as a mum and daughter and it’s created a really special bond between us.

It’s also been really fun to be able to combine volunteering with some of our other passions such as crafting, baking and creative design in our campaigns.

How has your faith motivated you?

There are a lot of problems in our world – inequality, poverty, climate change, to name a few – and it can feel overwhelming and like nothing really changes. But we are motivated by our faith. Things like A Prayerful Reflection on the Kingdom, which says, ‘We cannot do everything, and there is a sense of liberation in realising that. This enables us to do something, and to do it very well’ and the Parable of the Mustard Seed help us to remember that even small actions can make a lifesaving difference.

What would you say to someone thinking of volunteering?

We’d say, give it a go! Volunteering with CAFOD is really fulfilling and fun, you can do as much or as little as you like and fit it to whatever your passions, skills and hobbies are. Even something as simple as putting up a poster, organising a raffle or a coffee morning can make a huge difference.