The face of this year’s Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund (Sciaf) Wee Box appeal met one of its celebrity backers, singer Nicholas McDonald, on a visit to Scotland this week
The Malawian farmer who featured in this year’s Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund (Sciaf) Wee Box appeal visited Scotland this week and came face to face with one of the celebrities who helped launch the campaign earlier this year.
Mary Jackson bumped into former X Factor finalist Nicholas McDonald at St Aloysius’ Junior School in Glasgow while on tour of some of the Scottish schools and parishes who contributed to the campaign.
The pair spoke to pupils and afterwards, down to earth Nicholas, whose has supported a number of charities since appearing on the TV show in 2013, said it was amazing to meet Mary.
He added: “When you listen to Mary talk about her family, farming, how hard life used to be and how she can now grow enough food to support her children, it’s really inspiring.
“It’s great to hear directly from someone whose life has been changed for the better thanks to Sciaf and money given here in Scotland.
“It’s made me realise how easy life can be for us living in a wealthy country like Scotland, but also that the money we give to Sciaf really does change lives for the better.”
Mary added: “I’m really proud to be here in Scotland representing women in Malawi. Before the Sciaf project, nobody helped us. Life was very hard. Sometimes my children couldn’t go to school because the walk is very far and they were too hungry. Now they have enough to eat and they’re doing really well in school.
“If they continue to study hard they will achieve great things and will have a good life. I won’t have to worry about their future.”
This year, schools, parishes and people across Scotland raised a fantastic £1.7 million for the charity’s Lent appeal.
The UK government promised to double all donations given before 17 May, leading to a grand total of £3.4m.
The money will help women farmers such as Mary and others in some of the poorest countries in the world to work their way out of poverty.
