More than $11 million raised nationally for Project Compassion 2016

Thousands of generous supporters, including schools and parishes across Australia, joined in solidarity with the poorest communities globally in 2016, to help Caritas Australia raise more than $11 million nationally during Project Compassion.

Caritas Australia’s annual Lenten fundraising and awareness-raising campaign which runs until the end of June, brings thousands of Australians together to help end poverty, promote justice and uphold dignity.

Caritas Australia CEO, Paul O’Callaghan said he has been overwhelmed by the generous response from an army of supporters in every state and territory in 2016.

“For 50 years, Project Compassion has enabled Caritas to transform the lives of millions of people,” Mr O’Callaghan said.

“I have seen the impact of this work first hand in communities like Timor Leste, the Philippines and Nepal and I’m humbled by this enormous response from our supporters.

“This money will enable Caritas to continue our life-changing work with those most marginalised in more than 30 countries globally and within Australia.”

Today Project Compassion is one of Australia’s largest humanitarian fundraising and awareness-raising campaigns.

“We now look forward to the next 50 years and the journey ahead,” Mr O’Callaghan said.

In 2016, Caritas Australia’s six feature stories, from Malawi, Laos, Papua New Guinea, Australia, Cambodia and India, demonstrate how education, training and sharing knowledge empowers individuals and communities to transform their futures and create lasting change.

The theme for this year’s Project Compassion, “Learning more, creating change”, celebrated the power of learning, and the many ways in which Caritas Australia is working with local partners around the world, to provide vital learning and renewed hope to those most marginalised.

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Nicole Clements Image
Nicole Clements

Nicole Clements is Media Advisor, Caritas Australia