In January, I will be heading to the Philippines for a period of six months as a volunteer with the Hands of Mercy charity, working alongside the staff in a support role. Making this possible is a period of unpaid leave kindly granted by my current employer.

After being part of the Hands of Mercy compassion ministry for many years as Founder and Director and subsequently spending the last ten years back in the UK, I have recently felt God’s call to reconnect with the Hands of Mercy team as they work among the squatter communities in Mandaluyong, in Manila and Baguio a town in the north of the country.

I have set up this crowd funding page to raise money for my expenses and would ask if you would kindly consider making a donation to my support fund to which I have set a target of £3,000. Donations will go towards my accommodation, food, transportation and visa expenses. Your support would be greatly appreciated however big or small.

Hands of Mercy is a Christian compassion organisation dedicated to restoring hope to Filipino children and their families who live in poverty. This is achieved through programmes of compassion that minister to people's basic needs. There are thousands of children in the Philippines who are trapped in poverty, who have yet to discover the life changing difference Christian compassion can make.

As well as being a link between the Philippines and the UK office, as well as the UK Trustees, I will be focusing my attention on where I can add the most value, which is likely to be in the following areas:

• Supporting the director with the office/administrative needs; being a liaison between the Philippine and UK office.
• Developing and conducting training programmes for the team, e.g. leadership training.
• Increasing the marketing strategy for the charity’s social enterprise business.
• Working with the Director and staff to review the current work and the future direction/growth of the charity.

If you are able to support, then I would be most grateful. Thank you so much for your consideration.

David Gunn

Hands of Mercy Philippines

Restoring hope to the needy through love and compassion