A WOKINGHAM parish has raised more than £350 by coming together and eating simply, in a bid to help transform communities around the world as part of the aid agency CAFOD’s Lent campaign.

Across March and April parishioners from Corpus Christi Catholic Church have hosted a series of Lent Fast Day Soup Lunches, building on the success of those held in 2016.

Over 20 people have attended the last two lunches and all have enjoyed the homemade soups on offer, with flavours varying from leek and potato to sweet potato and tomato.

One lunch was particularly special, as pupils from St. Teresa’s Primary School came and prepared the leek and potato soup, under the supervision of the school chef, Farid.

They also laid the tables, greeted guests and served the soup, making it a real community event.

The lunch coincided with Red Nose Day, meaning the children were all dressed in red and sporting whacky hairstyles.

CAFOD volunteer and co-organiser Cathy Hills said: “I’m very pleased with the number of parishioners turning up for our lunches this Lent and for their support for CAFOD. We hope to continue next year. We’ve not run out of soup on the day so far!”

This Lent, CAFOD is working with communities in Zambia in Southern Africa.

It is estimated that over half of Zambians live below the poverty line. This means that many families do not have enough money to meet basic needs such as food, housing and clothing.

CAFOD’s partners in Zambia provide training in fish farming, beekeeping and crop farming, as well as helping individuals within communities develop business skills so those most in need understand how to get a better price for their goods, market them and even set up business partnerships.

CAFOD’s representative for Wokingham, Jo Lewry, said: “We would like to say a big thank you to the parish of the Corpus Christi for joining us in transforming communities this March, both for the Lenten and the East Africa appeal. By coming together and adding up all the small things, we can make a massive difference.

“It is the continued support from across England and Wales that helps empower communities around the world so that they are able to feed their families and make a living.”