CAFOD was born when volunteer members of the National Board of Catholic Women organised the first Family Fast Day on Friday, March 12, 1960

CAFOD had its beginnings when the National Board of Catholic Women organised a Family Fast Day in response to a request from the people of the Caribbean Island of Dominica for help with a mother-and-baby healthcare programme.

In 1962, the Catholic Bishops of England and Wales officially set up CAFOD - then known as the Catholic Fund for Overseas Development, but today is the Catholic Agency for Overseas Development.

The aim was to provide a focus for all the small-scale charitable efforts which were already taking place.

Today, CAFOD is still bringing about change as a result of the immense commitment and generosity of the Catholic communities of England and Wales.