3rd March 2003
Students Hit the Streets for "Project Compassion"
Now more than ever the world needs a commitment to compassion.

This Wednesday morning about 70 students from St Francis Xavier's College will hit the streets of Hamilton, Charlestown and Newcastle CBD to demonstrate their commitment to compassion by informing others about ways in which they can respond to this need.

Students will be commissioned to go out in pairs from their school to spread the news about Caritas Australia's PROJECT COMPASSION campaign.

PROJECT COMPASSION is the major fundraising campaign of Caritas Australia, the Catholic agency for overseas aid and development.

PROJECT COMPASSION traditionally begins during the first week of Lent on Ash Wednesday (March 5). In the Christian calendar Lent - which continues until Easter - is a time of simplicity, reflection and doing good deeds for others.

"Caritas Australia calls on the Hunter community to respond compassionately during Lent to the needs of impoverished communities worldwide," said Deacon John Taylor, Caritas Australia's Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle Director.

Project Compassion has been running since 1966. In 2002 Project Compassion raised more than $6 million nationally, making it one of Australia's largest public fundraising campaigns for overseas aid and development. $193,127 of this amount was raised in the Hunter region.

Project Compassion provides Australians with an opportunity to support development programs throughout the world and enables Caritas Australia to continue to respond to poor countries in times of disaster, through relief aid.

"The Christian ideals embodied in Lent can guide us to share with people around the world regardless of race, political beliefs, religion or gender," said Deacon Taylor.

To find out how you can support Project Compassion in your area visit www.caritas.org.au or contact Caritas Australia on Ph: (02) 4932 8816.

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