Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

I haven't spent much time doing charitable things in the last sixty years and have been looking for an opportunity to put that right. Late last year I offered my time to VSO and I have now been accepted as a volunteer. I will be off to work in Zambia for six months starting in October. 

VSO's activities around health and education have been running since I was a student. These days, besides providing the "front-line" service, VSO adopts a programme approach to developing self-sufficiency, participation and sustainability. Normally this involves working with government agencies and the service delivery organisations hopefully in a joined-up fashion. I will try to contribute to this process.

What will I be doing? I will be working with the Municipal Council in Choma to help develop their capabilities to deliver services. I'm hoping that some of my management experience of the IT services business will be relevant, but in a different and very challenging environment.

VSO asks all volunteers to raise at least £900 but I'm aiming to double that. This money does not go directly to paying for my personal needs; donations are pooled to help all aspects of VSO's work. 

Fundraising is fundamental to the work of VSO. The money you give will help transform lives by tackling the causes of poverty and disadvantage. Take a moment to visit www.vso.org.uk to understand the scale and ambition of their work.

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 and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

So please dig deep and donate now.

Thanks again; wish me luck!

Alick