99% Challenge: More than £1m raised
Supporters of CAFOD’s 99% Challenge scheme have defied the recession gloom to raise a remarkable £1m to fight poverty - and, thanks to the continuing efforts of thousands of generous people, that total is growing by almost £38,000 every month
The challenge asks people to consider if they could live on 99% of their income and give the other 1% (or whatever figure they can afford) to help people overseas change their world for good.
It has a received tremendous response from the Catholic community since it was launched in January 2007, with monthly donations ranging from £1 to £1,000.
Supporter Deborah Fisher, a mother of three from Ashburton said she was inspired to take up the challenge after seeing first-hand the difference this small proportion can make.
She said: “Having lived overseas, I know how well off I am in material terms, compared to those living in developing countries. I know that my donation makes a real difference to some of the poorest people. I particularly like the CAFOD ethos of helping people to help themselves and supporting local projects run by local people.”
The challenge is a key response to the livesimply movement, which calls upon the Catholic community to “live simply, sustainably and in solidarity with the poor”.
This campaign is particularly timely as the nation’s excesses have been starkly revealed in recent months, forcing many people to reevaluate what they really need to live on.
Deborah Fisher said: “The 99% challenge really brought home the message that there is a difference between what I want and what I really need. It made me think more carefully about how I spend my money and whether I can do without some things in order to make a difference to those living in poverty.
“By consuming a little less myself, I can make a real difference to someone else's life - what could be simpler?”
Holly Ball, CAFOD head of fundraising and marketing, said: “Author Peter Singer's new book, The Life You Can Save, challenges people in affluent countries about why they should donate money to fight global poverty, and how much each should give.
"Singer makes a compelling case for building a global culture of philanthropy and changing our own lives in order to empower the world's poor.
"This reflects CAFOD's support for livesimply, and the 99% Challenge is an effective way to live out our commitment to the poor.
“CAFOD would like to take this opportunity to say a huge thank you to all the supporters who have taken the 99% Challenge and, despite the pressures faced in the current financial climate, continue to give monthly donations to provide the tools to help people change their lives for good.”
How to donate
A monthly direct debit is the most admin-efficient way to donate, and gives us the ability to plan ahead and make long-term commitments to people in their fight against poverty.
If you could consider taking the 99% Challenge – making a making a monthly gift of whatever you can afford - please visit cafod.org.uk/direct-debit or call 020 7733 7900 and ask for a 99% Challenge flyer.
Media: For more information please contact Tim Sowula tsowula@caford.org.uk or 0207 095 5561
![(Left to right) Richard Cockle, John Corney, Lizzie Cranfield, and Gavin Baxter celebrate together after finishing the Great North Run 2005 [CAFOD]](/var/storage/images/media_folder/cafod/images/fundraising_images/sponsored_events/group_great_north_run_2005/10931-2-eng-GB/group_great_north_run_2005_1column00_08space_landscape.jpg) Get sponsored to support our work Take part in one of our CAFOD Challenges, or join Team CAFOD for a run. You can have some fun while supporting our life-saving work across the world |
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