So... I'm turning 30 this year on 31st May and would love to go to Russia to see my friends, support their volunteer project, and join in with their efforts to boost social action and engage with issues in their city.

Serve the City aims to empower people to take ownership of the places they live, warts and all, and reach out in friendship and collaboration with all kinds of folks they might never usually encounter. 

Last year StC Ryazan saw businessmen, care leavers, church people, young professionals, hockey players, mafia players, English-language enthusiasts and foreigners join forces. Together we repainted a war memorial, tended the grounds of an orphanage, picked litter, volunteered at the dog shelter, gave free hugs, and put some big old dents in some stereotypes and prejudices.

StC is great, but really I want to go because I love these people, and I love the city. It's all I want for my 30th, so *if * you'd otherwise be thinking of getting me a present, sending me a card, or treating me to coffee, would you please consider coming round for a cuppa at mine and chucking a few pennies this way instead?

<3