Cafod Christmas Run back to its full glory Kathy visits the mini Vinnies

The local Cafod team in Liverpool would like to say a big thank you to each and every person who supported this year’s Cafod Christmas Run, the annual event which takes place every 27 December.

In recent years, as with everything in our world, the run has been affected by the Covid pandemic. In 2020, the event was completely virtual with people participating in all areas of Liverpool and far and wide to run and walk 5k. In 2021 we were able to return to our usual venue of the Wavertree Athletics Centre and The Mystery Park, but as the building was in use as a vaccination centre, and we needed to maintain social distancing, we had a very cold outdoor event.

And finally in 2022, we were back to our former glory with the whole venue available for business as usual. We had support from our caterer, The Health Chef and The Speakeasy Bootleg band kept toes tapping and spirits up in the cold temperatures.

The event had a fantastic turn out, and our local celebrity supporter who has taken part in all 39 fun runs, Frank Cottrell Boyce, was there as always, with his family.

Event organiser, Colette Byrne from Cafod said, ‘What a tremendous turn out for this wonderful Christmas event. Every year we look at the weather and just hope that it won’t be too off putting for people to come along and we were not disappointed at all. We have a fantastic team of volunteers who help with the event and they really did a phenomenal job’.

‘Everyone was wrapped up and some donned some fabulous festive outfits to run or walk around our two routes in The Mystery. There were smiles all round and I think people really appreciated the opportunity to be back to normal again. We are so delighted with everyone’s support for the event. Thank you so much for making it another success.’

Cafod is the Catholic Agency for Overseas Development. An international development charity and the official aid agency of the Catholic Church in England and Wales reaching out to people living in poverty with practical help, whatever their religion or culture. Through our global Church network, one of the largest in the world, we have the potential to reach everyone. And we campaign for global justice, so that every woman, man and child can live a full and dignified life.

Cafod website: www.cafod.org.uk

The Mini Vinnies at St Thomas of Canterbury Catholic Primary School, St Helens, were very excited to have Kathy Riley, SVP Membership Support Officer, visit them during Advent and to tell her all about the wonderful charitable work they have been doing recently.

Kathy was delighted to hear of the children’s work in making our world a kinder place, including visiting the local Dementia Café (Loving Arms Dementia Group) twice during the autumn term; once to do arts and crafts and the second visit was to spread a bit of Christmas cheer with their singing.

The children were very eager to share their many kind works of mercy with Kathy who was thrilled so much that she is making plans to celebrate the founder of the SVP, Blessed Frederic Ozanam’s 210th birthday with the children this April.

As part of her visit, Kathy brought each Mini Vinnie a miraculous medal to remind the children of the important work they are doing in spreading joy and kindness to those most in need in their local community; and as a way of saying ‘thank you’ to the children for their thoughtfulness and hard work, Kathy also brought the children chocolates to share, which were much appreciated.