Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund’s 60th anniversary

That this House congratulates the Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund (SCIAF) on its 60th anniversary; understands that the organisation was established in Rutherglen by Monsignor John Rooney and John McKee, a volunteer, to help people in the world’s poorest places; notes that SCIAF is the official relief development agency of the Catholic Church in Scotland and is a member of the global Caritas Internationalis network of Catholic relief and development agencies; recognises that as part of this international family of charities, the organisation delivers aid and development programs worldwide and campaigns for justice; commends their work which spans a range of areas, from helping those affected by famine and natural disasters to supporting refugees, and from opposing apartheid, to campaigning to make poverty history, to demanding action on climate change; further understands that SCIAF’s work would not be possible without the generous donations of members of the Catholic community in Scotland and the public more broadly; applauds the iconic SCIAF Wee box Lenten appeal which over the years has become a central part of the organisation’s fundraising efforts by encouraging school children to pop pocket money and adults to donate spare coins into their wee box to make a big change; and celebrates all the volunteers who have and continue to make SCIAF’s work possible by giving their time and skills to work in schools, further education campuses, communities and parishes, raising awareness and raising funds to allow the organisation’s work to continue.