
Eric Smith
I was delighted to be invited to St Peter’s Church in Winchester on Sunday to present a papal blessing to Eric Smith to thank him for volunteering for CAFOD for over twenty-five years. Eric had been a member of St Peter & the Winchester Martyrs’ parish for over 40 years and he started volunteering for CAFOD in 1991. He became involved in a project to collect 5ps during Advent and Lent using CAFOD pyramid boxes. He is so well-known for collecting 5ps that people even stop him in the street to give him their spare 5ps. He reckons that he has raised over £25,000 so far. Which is a fantastic amount!
As a CAFOD parish volunteer Eric promotes the Harvest and Lent fast days each year and he regularly support the monthly hunger lunches held at St Peter’s.

Eric Smith with Fr Mark Hogan
Eric was thrilled with the papal blessing and told me that he was just using the talents that God had given him to help others. He wanted to thank all those who had supported him over the years especially Lynda and Laura from the CAFOD Portsmouth office. His dream would be everyone in England collecting their 5ps and donating them to CAFOD!
Thank you so much Eric for all you have done for CAFOD over the years and for your love and concern for your brothers and sisters living in poverty overseas.

Eric Smith