Making a difference: How legacies have helped

Read how legacies really change the lives of those in need, as well as examples of the wonderful people who have supported us in this special way - we hope their stories inspire you to follow in their footsteps

Legacies at work today

In Cambodia, one in three people live below the poverty line and HIV is widespread. Father Jim Noonan (pictured) works for our partner, Maryknoll, which provides shelter, food, medical treatment, education and training to people affected by HIV and AIDS.

One of the tragic consequences of HIV and AIDS is that millions of children lose the people who love and protect them. Many of those supported by Maryknoll would have died without help of Father Jim and his colleagues.

Fr Jim is a man of great humility, faith and quiet strength. He joined Maryknoll as a priest in 1961 and came to Cambodia in 1990. When he first visited parents with HIV, he was impressed by their dignity in the face of death and was deeply moved by their concern for the children they would leave behind.

But thanks to the gifts and legacies of the Catholic community in England and Wales, Fr Jim and Maryknoll are able to provide loving homes, life-saving medicines and counselling to these orphans and vulnerable children.

They also give the young people in their care an education and vocational training so that they can build a better future for themselves and their country.

Aged 72, Fr Jim is due to retire soon but he is eager to safeguard Maryknoll’s work for generations to come. This will be his legacy. What will yours be?

He says: "I understand that, even in my littleness, I can make a difference. I realise that it is not me, it is the spirit of God. Be proud of CAFOD. They bring life and meaning and hope and possibilities of living life more fully to countless poor people."

How past legacies helped those in need

Mary Mahony: a friend in times of need
Mary left a gift in her will to CAFOD, after supporting out work throughout her life. We received her legacy in the weeks following the Boxing Day Tsunami in 2004. Because legacies benefit CAFOD’s general funds, we were able to put Mary’s gift straight into action helping people whose lives had been devastated in the disaster.

Now Mary’s memory lives on in the homes, schools and communities her gift has helped to rebuild.

Redmond Carroll OBE: an unsung hero
Mr Redmond Carroll (“Ren”) left a gift in his will to CAFOD when he died in 2007. For almost twenty years, he had contributed regularly to our overseas projects and was always one of the first to respond when emergencies arose.

The gift he left us in his will was used to help communities affected by Cyclone Nargis in Burma, where Ren had worked at the British Embassy in Rangoon.

Through his legacy, Ren continues to play an important part in the work that meant so much to him during his lifetime. His faith and compassion will remain in the hearts of the people who have been touched by his kindness.

Catherine Connolly: a great carer
When Catherine passed away in 2006, aged 95, she left behind many friends who miss her caring and compassionate nature. Having supported CAFOD for many years, she kindly left a gift to us in her will.

Her nephew, David, acted as executor of his aunt’s estate and was pleased to help carry out her wishes. “My aunt was a very keen supporter of CAFOD and it was important to her that the work she cared about would continue in the future.”

Catherine’s gift has supported a wide range of CAFOD’s work tackling poverty and injustice around the world. We will forever be indebted to her.

take action

Learn more about this wonderful way of providing for those you care about with Sowing Seeds of Hope, our free guide to making or updating a will.

Email legacy@cafod.org.uk or call 020 7095 5367 to request a copy - or if you have any further questions we can help you with

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