Over a thousand students and hundreds of teachers and parishioners flocked to our six celebratory Masses held across our diocese to give thanks for the wonderful contributions made to our Good Shepherd Appeal this year.
The Appeal focused on supporting our 5p Bus project, which has regularly travelled to over 200 venues across our region this year, providing clothing and other essential items to families and 
individuals suffering hardship. We rely completely upon good quality donations and financial support to keep the buses on the road and since the 5p Bus project was introduced three years ago, the service has helped thousands of needy individuals and families.
There was no end to the fundraising ideas thought up by the young supporters, ranging from the more traditional activities of sponsored events, raffles and cake sales, through to dressing-up days, fashion shows and making 5p chains. Some schools even ventured into manufacturing, making their own bags, tags and wrapping paper!
Following one of the Masses, head teacher Barbara Reilly-O’Donnell from St Mary’s Catholic Primary in Newton Aycliffe said: “We know that a good shepherd takes care of every single sheep in their flock and this is what Jesus did. To follow the example of Christ, our school community takes great pride in remembering all the ‘sheep in our flock’, by raising money and doing good deeds for those in need.”
Chief Executive, Austin Donohoe, said: “I am grateful to everyone who helped to make this year’s Appeal such a success; we have received in over £20,000 to date with some pledges still to be received. This is a tremendous sum by any measure but it is quite overwhelming considering theses difficult financial times.”