Sunday 7 November 2010

London Catholic Volunteer Movement



On Saturday 23rd October in this year of our Lord, about a dozen daring and dashing volunteers initiated the London Catholic Volunteer Movement, which had been in planning for some time.

Armed with sandwiches, soup, hot-drinks and sympathetic ears, the troupe of volunteers went around London in separate groups, all beginning from Trafalgar Square. The homeless people we came across were remarkably, though not surprisingly, grateful for the gifts of food prepared by the members of the London CVM. Their hunger must have been exceptional, because as the weather grows colder, so often does people’s charity. It was clear however from our first activity that there were some definite strategies which we could use to make sure we were of as much use to these unfortunate people as we can be, such as establishing a regular meeting point in London for the distribution of food, handing out cards to the homeless stating the next date and location of the soup kitchen, and also establishing a weekly or bi-monthly rota so that there would be enough volunteers to make this more frequent event.

This is a good cause, which we estimate helped between twenty and thirty homeless people in London that day, but with many more to help. Donations of warm and waterproof clothes are greatly appreciated, and anything you could give financially to help the London CVM’s work would be gratefully received by its volunteers, but best of all give some of your time to help these ambassadors of Christ.

For further information, donations or offers of help, please e-mail - catholicvolunteermovement@gmail.com