Support the African Children’s Educational Trust (A-CET) in northern Ethiopia.

In 2009 I was invited to become one of two honorary patrons of A-CET and I was delighted to accept. I visited the trust in Mekelle in 2006, 2007 and 2010. Besides being overwhelmed by the impact of the trust’s work on the lives of vulnerable children and young people and inspired by the schools the trust is building for isolated rural communities, I was equally overwhelmed by the kindness and generosity of those whom I have met and come to know as friends.

If you would like to know more about A-CET or contribute to the trust’s work, log-on to: www.a-cet.org.uk.

Develop a North Staffordshire Olive Tree Campaign

In February, I joined an international group of volunteers to plant olive trees for farmers dispossessed of their land by the Israeli military occupation of the Palestinian West Bank. I was shocked by the occupation and on my return I wanted to continue to support farmers who were loosing their fields to the separation Wall, illegal settlements, military zones, observation posts, watch towers and checkpoints. Thus the North Staffordshire Olive Tree Campaign was born and I have recruited others to work with me.

An olive tree costs £12.50. The names of donors are displayed on a plaque beside a field of trees planted by volunteers. This reminds farmers that they are not forgotten and illegal Israeli settlers and the soldiers who guard the settlements, that the occupation violates international and human rights law.

If you would like to know more about the North Staffordshire Olive Tree Campaign or think you may wish to volunteer to plant trees or harvest their crop, please contact me or log-on to: www.jai-pal.org for further information.

North Staffs Kidney Patients Association

Support the North Staffs Kidney Patients Association, primarily by organising a bi-annual sponsored walk. The 2009 walk raised £2,900. The next walk will take place in September 2013.
For information, log-on to www.nskpa.org.uk