Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

From this September, I will be working for VSO (Voluntary Services Overseas) for twelve months, in a developing country, most likely somewhere in Africa. I am priviledged to have been offered a RCOG/VSO fellowship- this means that the vital work that I will be doing is supported by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and that I will have a job to come back to! I will essentially be doing the job I do now (usual medical duties, delivering babies, operating etc), but in a developing country with significantly less resources and with more of an emphasis on teaching. I will be exposed to a wide range of pathology which no longer exists in the UK due to medical advancements. Unfortunately, many of my patients will be poor and may live far from the hospital. I am under no illusions and know that it will be a challenging experience but welcome the opportunity to give something back. Who wants an easy life anyway?? I hope that my skills can be put to good use and am sure that I will return a better Doctor.

VSO is a fantastic organisation that sends volunteers from all walks of life and with a vast array of skills overseas to work alongside local professionals, helping improve the quality of life of those most in need. They believe that putting people at the heart of development is the only way to make a real difference. 

Why don’t you check out their website (www.vso.org.uk) and see if you can be a volunteer too?! Over the next two years, they will be providing me with a lot of training and support (pre, during and post- placement). Your donations will ensure that they can keep on making a difference, providing ongoing training and future volunteers.

Women in the third world have a 1 in 13 chance of dying in childbirth (versus 1 in 9,000 in the UK) and only a 40% chance of having a skilled medical professional attending the birth.

It costs £15,000 to send a volunteer abroad and I have been asked to raise a small amount in comparison. This money does not pay directly for me but goes towards VSO's many projects, ensuring that they can continue to send volunteers where they are needed most. 

In order to fundraise, I will be arranging a variety of events- more information to come…  Hopefully you’ll be keen to join me in aid of having fun for a fantastic cause. I am also open to suggestions- from bathing in beans, to jumping from planes- the crazier the better! I'm sure fancy dress will be involved somewhere! Let me know what you’d be prepared to pay to watch and I will consider all reasonable suggestions ;).

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity. So it’s the most efficient way to donate – saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

So please dig deep and donate now- every penny and every pound helps fight poverty