For my birthday I REALLY would like nothing more than for you to make a contribution to Fairbridge.  And by NOTHING MORE I mean I would prefer not to get gifts myself - as you know I've been one of the luckiest people in the world over my first 50 years and so need for virtually nothing myself (give or take a Chelsea Champions League win)...

I have been fortunate enough to get to know Fairbridge as a charity - not just through the people involved (who are extremely impressive) but first hand. 

Fairbridge helps the most alienated young people in our country, who typically have at least three major problems in their life (such as being excluded from school, homelessness, drug addiction).  Often these individuals are barely able to make eye contact, let alone talk to anyone new. 

If they are brave and determined to break out of this isolation they volunteer to go on a one week induction course.  I attended three days of one of these courses and was inspired.

The young people had already overcome unbelievably hard starts in life to get to the point of asking for help. Despite their age (14) they were effectively on their own in the world, with little or no helpful support or guidance from family, friends or elsewhere.

And yet, by the end of the week, of classes, of practical tasks like shopping for and cooking lunch, of potholing and camping, their potential was shining through. Barriers had been broken, achievements notched (I hated the abseilling, but did it !) and plans made to stay in regular contact with Fairbridge through to getting back in to school or training.

Realistically lives were being saved before my eyes, by the youngsters themselves with the help of supremely talented and very committed staff.  Wonderful.

It is expensive to save a future like this - around £4000.  And that's despite Fairbridge being one of the most cost effective, business-like organisations I've come across (cheap offices, underpaid staff, KPIS and measurements for everything).

It would be great if between us we could raise that sum during 2011.