Project Compassion 2026 raises over $10.26 million for vulnerable communities around the world

Project Compassion 2026 launched with energy and enthusiasm across Australia, bringing together communities from Hobart to Darwin to begin another season of compassion in action.

In the Archdiocese of Sydney, things kicked off live on air on The Today Show, with a special Shrove Tuesday broadcast from St Mary’s Cathedral College. Students, staff, Bishop Danny Meagher, and the Caritas Australia team had gathered to showcase the transformative impact of Project Compassion to audiences around the country, complete with a live pancake-making competition, BIG Water Walk event, and more.

A further 26 launch events were held across 21 dioceses, with thousands joining to mark the start of this year’s campaign and reaffirm their commitment to standing alongside the world’s most vulnerable during Lent.

Over 2,000 supporters laced up their walking shoes for the second year of The Long Walk for Water, challenging themselves to walk every day during Lent and raising a fantastic $240,000 in the process. Individuals, offices, and parish groups like the Seaton Parish Spanish Community in the Archdiocese of Adelaide got out and about in their local areas. Another intrepid group, the Walk Worthy team, tracked their efforts by taking weekly footage of their progress, raising over $2,000 and celebrating their achievements with a final two-hour walk through the hills of Cowra on Easter Sunday.

All together, participants collectively clocked up an amazing 558,612 minutes of walking over the 40 days of Lent to raise awareness of the challenges faced by those who lack access to clean, safe water.

Schools across the country also stepped up for the 292 million people around the world who must walk long distances every day just to collect water by hosting BIG Water Walks in their playgrounds and local areas. Among them were the Year 4 students at Our Lady of Good Counsel School in the Archdiocese of Perth, who took part in a walk in their playground, carrying buckets to collect money from members of the school community and raising a fantastic $422.80 in just 30 minutes!

More than 700 students and staff from 23 schools across Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese (CSPD) also came together for a BIG Water Walk, with students carrying buckets of water along a 4km route to gain a glimpse into the daily reality faced by those who lack access to clean, safe water.

Communities also put their hosting skills to the test, embracing the spirit of Project Compassion by holding pancake cook-offs, morning teas, markets and more.

Ella and Ava, two long-standing Project Compassion champions from the Archdiocese of Perth, dusted off their cake tins once again for their annual bake sale fundraiser, proudly marking their seventh year of supporting the campaign. The girls baked up a storm and managed to sell out of every treat thanks to the generosity of their family, friends and community, raising $2,445 in the process.

Two students from St Louis de Montfort School in the Archdiocese of Melbourne also got creative by hosting their own ‘Food and Bracelet’ stall at a local train station. After a month of planning and preparation, the girls set up shop on a Saturday, not only to raise funds but to spread the word about Project Compassion across their local community.