Scottish Catholic Observer

A small group from St Vincent de Paul Church in East Kilbride is taking part in a fundraising walk later this month to help a charity founded by one of their fellow parishioners.

George Ferguson (right) and a group of friends will tackle the 10km Glen Rosa walk on the Isle of Arran on Saturday September 22 to raise funds for Hope—Human Development and Welfare Association (HDWA), the charity that was set up by Alphonse Francis to help persecuted Christians in Pakistan.

Persecution

Mr Francis has first-hand experience of the persecution that can be suffered by Christians in Pakistan. He managed to escape from the country, however, and fled to Scotland with his wife and four children in 2003 and has since dedicated himself to trying to make a difference to the lives of Christians in his homeland, particularly to young people through education.

This is a cause Mr Ferguson and his friends are keen to help and have thus decided to take on what they have termed, the Walk of Hope.

“When I read or see press bulletins on how some of our brothers and sisters are treated in areas of Pakistan because of their faith or condition in life I feel helpless to do anything; helpless but not hopeless,” Mr Ferguson said. “This walk is planned to not just raise funds for the charity Hope HDWA but also awareness of the plight of those affected by injustices.”

Gratitude

Mr Francis extended his ‘heartfelt gratitude’ to everyone participating in the Walk for Hope and to all those who continue to support and pray for his charity. Money raised from the Glen Rosa walk will enable Hope to sponsor the education of some of the children who attend St Anthony’s School in Gujranwala, Punjab Province.

“Our charity and the Christian children who study in our over-crowded St Anthony’s school in Pakistan are incredibly happy that George Ferguson and his friends have been moved to organise and participate in their sponsored 10km walk to Glen Rosa,” Mr Francis said. “Our thoughts and prayers will be with them on the day and we hope the weather will be nice for the team and they enjoy fund raising for HOPE.”

Mr Francis added that he has received drawings from young pupils at St Anthony’s thanking Scottish-based fundraisers for all the support they have given them.

“Reportedly, the head teacher, Mr Gill, said that by helping them we are changing their lives,” Mr Francis concluded.

—To find out more about the work of Hope HDWA, visit the charity’s website at: http://hope-hdwa.co.uk/. To donate to the charity, visit: http://www.charitychoice.co.uk/hope-hdwa

—[email protected]