Scottish Catholic Observer

Susan Boyle added some celebrity glamour to the launch of the Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund’s (SCIAF) Wee Box, Big Change Lenten campaign this week.

The international star spoke movingly about her connection to the charity in front of the press, local schoolchildren and SCIAF workers and supporters at the charity’s headquarters in Glasgow.

“It’s been a charity which is very close to my heart as my mother used to have wee boxes in the house,” she said. “My mother used to have wee boxes such as this one in the house and, just before she passed away, she began collecting for SCIAF so this brings back a lot of memories for me personally. It is very personal and there is a strong message of hope.”

Movingly Ms Boyle had with her the same Wee Box that her mother had used to save money for SCIAF in.

The charity is asking Scots to give up a treat for Lent and donate the money saved to them, so they can continue their work helping the world’s poorest people.

Susan Boyle said she was giving up chocolate. “Apart from it being too fattening, I think the money raised will be phenomenal!” she said.

The singing sensation also showed a keen awareness of the importance of the charity’s work.

“It’s a fantastic organisation that works in some of the poorest countries in the world, providing real hope and practical help to people affected by extreme poverty or the trauma of war or natural disasters,” she said. “I know every penny they get will be used in practical ways to help poor people support themselves in the long term so they can fulfil their own dreams of a future with respect and human dignity.”

SCIAF’s chief executive Paul Chitnis said he was delighted Ms Boyle had agreed to back the campaign.

“It’s not often we have a global superstar in the SCIAF offices but the hard work, determination and talent Susan Boyle has shown in reaching the top of show business are the same attributes SCIAF shows working with the world’s poorest people,” he said. “We are dedicated to helping people help themselves. And when one sixth of the world’s population go to bed hungry every night, it’s work that couldn’t be more important.”

Mr Chitnis also presented a token of thanks to Ms Boyle in the form of a beautiful silk flower he had recovered from the ruins of a cathedral in Haiti, which he had found during a recent trip there.

After a short film illustrating SCIAF’s work Ms Boyle happily posed with school children for photos.

Ms Boyle is just one of a number of famous Scots who are backing the campaign.

Harry Potter actress Katie Leung, singer songwriter Eddi Reader, Scotland football captain and Manchester United player Darren Fletcher, business woman Michelle Mone, broadcasters Kaye Adams and Sally Magnusson, and Charlie and Craig Reid of The Proclaimers are just some of the stars joining hundreds of thousands of ordinary Scots who will take part.

The money raised in the campaign will help fund SCIAF’s long-term development work in 16 countries which includes: providing seeds, tools and livestock for poor farmers; skills training and small loans to help people generate an income and healthcare and trauma counselling to those affected by war.

Each year the campaign highlights a specific area of SCIAF’s work.  The focus this year is on the emergency aid and long term development work that SCIAF is providing in Haiti.  SCIAF first started working in Haiti in 1987.  Even before the earthquake, which killed over 230,000 people and left 1.5 million homeless, Haiti was the poorest country in the western hemisphere, and Haitians are still struggling to cope with the devastation. In addition to SCIAF’s earthquake emergency response, the agency’s long-term projects help rural families by providing training, seeds, tools and livestock so they can grow enough food to eat, and have enough left over to sell, to pay for their children’s school fees.

The Wee Box, Big Change campaign raised £889,875 in 2010.

Pics: Paul McSherry