Trainspotting Star Lends A Wee Hand

Scottish Hollywood star Robert Carlyle has given his backing to the Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund (SCIAF)in their campaign to raise money to combat poverty in the developing world.

SCIAF convinced the Trainspotting star and sometime Bond villain to give up coffee for Lent, and to donate the savings to their Wee Box, Big Change campaign.

Glasgow born Carlyle, 50, who became a TV favourite in hit drama ‘Hamish MacBeth’ has endorsed the campaign which will be launched by singing star Susan Boyle on Ash Wednesday (February 22).

SCIAF say that Wee Box, Big Change, is Scotland’s largest annual international development campaign.

It simply asks people to give up a treat like coffee, chocolate or alcohol for the 40 days of Lent, and donate the money towards helping SCIAF combat poverty and injustice in Africa, Asia and Latin America.

Carlyle, who is set to star in two new films in 2012, said he felt the cause was worthy.

He said: “SCIAF helps some of the poorest people in the world to work their way out of poverty.

“They give a hand up, not a hand out, providing practical help such as seeds, tools and training so that people can feed themselves and their families, not just today but in the future.”

Other Scottish stars lining up to support the campaign include singing duo The Proclaimers; Darren Fletcher, the Scotland international football captain; and Ally McCoist, manager of Glasgow Rangers.

Last year, the campaign raised more than £900,000 for overseas development work.