The Christian charity Progressio is celebrating its 75th birthday.
Launched in 1940 the organisation teaches people in poorer parts of the world skills so they can help themselves and not rely on others.
Progressio, or The Sword of the Spirit as it was previously known, was formed as a reaction to war.
Founded by a group of lay Catholics with the support of former Archbishop of Westminster Cardinal Hinsley, The Sword of the Spirit was a "campaign of prayer, study and action [to] unite the citizens of this country in support [of] future peace".
Head of Policy Lizzette Robleto de Howarth told Premier it is a remarkable achievement to have lasted so long.
She said: "The number of people that received training [this year] was about 15,364. If we do that a year imagine what we have achieved over the 75 years."
She added the future was bright for the charity and that it would continue offering a "voice and a platform" to "poor and marginalised communities".
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Article by Antony Bushfield
Antony Bushfield is a multimedia journalist for Premier.
