VALE schools and parishes are being encouraged to make a difference this lent by lobbying politicians and raising money for CAFOD.

The call is part of CAFOD's annual Lent Fast Day tomorrow.

The Catholic Agency for Overseas Development is a member of the Make Poverty History campaign aimed at reducing poverty throughout the World's poorest countries. Ensuring poverty is abolished the agency also challenge World leaders on delivering trade justice and cancelling third world debt.

The Roman Catholic church St Mary and St Egwin of Evesham are supporting the fast day. Father Peter Rogers from the church said: "Here at St Mary's and St Egwin in Evesham support CAFOD fast day. It's totally unacceptable that 30 million people die each day from extreme poverty. Here in Evesham we can play our part in trying to make poverty history."

To help raise funds, children will participate in 'Send my friend to school' involving a cut out of 'friend'.

This cut out represents one child from over 100 million in a developing country who don't have the opportunity to go to school.

Helen Moseley, CAFOD West Midlands regional organiser said: "Campaigning does work and since debt was dropped in Uganda the number of children enrolled in schools there has almost tripled."