St Joseph’s Penny – Over 100 Years of Caritas Salford Appeal

Wednesday 25th February 2026

As we continue to observe the Lenten period, we would like to highlight the work of our diocesan charity, Caritas Salford, and in particular their historic St Joseph’s Penny Appeal which runs each year during Lent.

The appeal was launched in 1904 by Bishop Herbert Vaughan to help children experiencing homelessness, and encouraged children to donate one penny to those in need of a helping hand.

Bishop Vaughan was the second Bishop of Salford, appointed in 1872 and serving for 20 years. During this time, he had taken note of the growing number of children living on the streets, who were cold and hungry, and were being driven away from the Catholic Church due to their hardship.

He sought help from a group of religious sisters and resolved to care for these children. One such person was Sister Mary Francis from the Order of the Franciscan Missionaries of St Joseph, who worked alongside Bishop Vaughan to set up homes for orphaned children and those in need.

To continue their vital work, the Catholic Children’s Rescue Society was founded in 1886 – a charity which, many years later, was incorporated into Caritas Salford.

In order to fund their efforts, Bishop Vaughan had the idea for the St Joseph’s Penny Appeal, asking all the children in all the schools in the area to donate one penny. The first collection in 1904 raised 55,217 pennies – the equivalent to around £230 today.

Memories of the Appeal

Many of us within the diocese will remember taking part as children, and Caritas Salford are proud to keep the spirit of the appeal alive today as they encourage schools, parishes and community groups to give both in person and online.

Thanks to the generosity and kindness of people across Greater Manchester and Lancashire, the charity are able to offer essential support to those experiencing hard times in our communities as demand for their services continues to increase.

This year, the charity is sharing special memories from supporters who have taken part in the appeal over the years, as they now encourage their own children and grandchildren to follow in their footsteps.

“Putting together the boxes was such a lot of fun as a child and I really remember it vividly. I’m pleased it is still running nowadays too.”

To learn more about the appeal and to hear more of the memories that have been shared, head over to the Caritas Salford website, where you can also read about the amazing impact of the charity’s work.