Forty days and nights

Part of the Lent appeal this year is a campaign called #giveitup. The campaign runs from 14 Feb to 29 March and urges people to give something up for 40 days and share their story online – raising awareness of CAFOD’s fundraising efforts.

So, what could you give up?

Well, you could focus on something that will actually make a difference – like giving up meat or dairy (if you haven’t already), setting yourself a low water use challenge, or giving up using your mobile at home for forty days! 

Alex, from Customer Support, has given up spending money on recreational activities. Find out more below.

By Alex Parnham-Cope

For Lent this year, I’m giving up spending money on recreational activities or entertainment, and strictly spending only on bills and transport.

There are a lot of people in my life who are forced by their financial circumstances to be very frugal and don’t have the luxury to spend money on going out, buying clothes or even basic needs like food and housing. I’ve been trying to challenge myself about taking my lifestyle for granted and, in the process, raise awareness of poverty and homeless in the UK and elsewhere.

It’s difficult having to turn down nights out and constantly be worrying about money, even when I’m trying to enjoy myself. Specifically, I’ve struggled with the unavoidable sense of helplessness when my friends offer to buy me drinks or pay for entry to a club. It’s quite uncomfortable even though my friends are very supportive of my motivations.

My challenge has encouraged me to find other ways to entertain myself. Rather than going to the cinema or using Netflix (or another paid entertainment service), I’ve started reading for pleasure which is a weird shock for my brain. My partner and I have also made an effort to find free recreational things to do, like going for hideously muddy walks and digging out old board games in my parents’ house.

Although I definitely couldn’t keep up with spending no money outside of work, I think this has been a really challenging way to help me save money for the things that matter, and better understand the luxuries that I take for granted. That engaged understanding isn’t something I’d want to abandon after Lent is over.

We were really inspired by Alex’s innovative choice to take part in #giveitup, and it’s not too late to get involved. Donate to the Lent appeal and the government will match the amount you give. CAFOD aims to raise £5 million to help with their work fighting poverty worldwide, and with matched funding, that’ll be a massive £10 million to go towards their fantastic work.