The ad, which will be displayed on a bus stop in London's Oxford Street from February 22, uses facial recognition software to decide whether a man or woman is standing there.

Women and girls are shown a longer 40 second version, whilst men and boys will be blocked from viewing the advert to highlight the plight of girls across the world.

The ad has been created by charity Plan UK as part of its Because I Am a Girl campaign, which wants to see young women in developing countries to have more choices about their lives.

Plan UK points out that millions of girls across the globe are being denied the right and choice to have an education...

The charity's chief executive officer, Marie Staunton, says:

"This ad is a deliberate attempt to raise public debate on this issue.

"...we're not giving men and boys the choice to see the full ad on this occasion, so we get a glimpse of what it's like to have basic choices taken away..."

The advert will be at the bus stop for two weeks... drawing attention to the Because I Am a Girl campaign that highlights some shocking facts like at least 75 million girls around the world are not in school. 

Plan UK's Because I Am a Girl campaign aims to ensure girls in the world's poorest countries can access quality education. This will in turn move people away from poverty to a future of opportunity.

The charity's campaign is gathering momentum and received a major boost in December last year when the United Nations decided to recognise October 11 as the International Day of the Girl Child.

The event will put a special focus on the rights of girls throughout the world highlighting the facts that educated girls are more likely to to be literate, healthy and survive into adulthood, as well reinvest income back into families and communities...

Fair trade has proven to be an effective response to hardship, monetary and global food crises as well as the effects of climate change. The system which supports small producers by ensuring they get a real living income is a practical way anyone can help to deliver sustainable livelihoods for workers and farmers in the poorest countries of the world...

Fair trade organisations, supported by consumers, support producers by directing a fair income into their pockets but also raise awareness and campaign for changes in the way that conventional trading systems often exploit vulnerable communities in the third world.

As such by buying Fairtrade products you really do make a difference to people's lives with the money you spend going back to support the producer more liberally. And also as the shop can purchase more fair traded goods from those same producers it adds an additional benefit by actively supporting the producer's business. Fairtrade goods provide fair support for farmers and producers across Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean, Oceania as well as the poorer countries of Asia.

The need for fair trade is not only a harsh reality because of the longstanding poverty wages affecting third world producers but also bearing in mind those producers are especially under pressure right now due to rising food prices which they are of course affected by...

Fairtrade Fortnight encourages people to buy Fairtrade, tell others about the Fairtrade Mark, help to increase sales of Fairtrade products wherever possible and raise awareness about the need to create more egalitarian trading systems as a whole.

The awareness fortnight is also asking consumers who are not current supporters of Fairtrade products to consider making a first step in that direction... The fortnight is also sponsoring the charity's Take a Step campaign encouraging consumers to support Fairtrade for the first time whether it is just buying a coffee while out shopping or on the way to work.

You might find it tastes surprisingly more delicious when you realise the money is helping those working hard in a difficult environment to escape conditions which encourage poverty.

The organisers hope that if you do get the Fairtrade bug you might want to consider being an active supporter of fair trade solutions and promote Fairtrade products via word of mouth or any other means.

Fairtrade Fortnight 2012 will launch a year of Fairtrade activities including those around World Fair Trade Day on May 12 with a number of summer awareness events also planned...

The Grammy award-winning pop rock band are best known for their eponymous debut album, Train, and their second album, Drops of Jupiter which led to the international hit single of the same name. Always a draw in their home area of San Francisco the band also referenced San Francisco with the 2009 album: Save Me, San Francisco.

The group's San Francisco 2012 tour includes small-scale performances starting at Cafe Du Nord and finishing up at the Fillmore.

The full San Francisco tour is April 10, Cafe Du Nord; April 11, Great American Music Hall; April 12, Bimbo's; April 13; Slim's; April 14, Independent; April 15, Fillmore.

A portion of the ticket sale proceeds will go to the San Francisco charity Family House, which provides temporary housing to families of seriously ill children.

Founded in 1981, the charity Family House provides accommodation to families of ill children receiving treatment at the University of California San Francisco Benioff Children's Hospital. The charity relies solely on contributions from individuals, corporations and foundations.

Family House not only supports children undergoing bone marrow transplants, chemotherapy and radiation treatments but other conditions such as cardiac problems when possible.

The charity says it aims to ease the burdens families face when dealing with a child's life-threatening illness... Such programmes have been shown to improve the well-being of children and their families facing such difficult circumstances.

The problem is recognised to be prevalent in football... and has been described as football's last taboo...

For instance, a previous report from gay rights charity Stonewall - Leagues Behind - Football's failure to tackle anti-gay abuse - identified homophobic abuse as widespread and called for the football authorities to take action.

Even a simple fact to consider that there are no professional footballers in England who are open about being gay is somewhat of an embarrassment for the game... Even though statistically in England there are approximately 3,000 pro footballers plying their trade...

The new FA campaign to tackle this problem is a serious one and the issues involved are brought home when you consider Justin Fashanu, one of the most talented players of his generation and the only openly gay professional player the country has seen, committed suicide in 1998. The homophobia he suffered has been shown to be a contributing factor.

Speakers at the launch of the new FA initiative included Ben Summerskill, Chief Executive of Stonewall and former professional player Graeme Le Saux who suffered homophobic abuse throughout his career, although he is heterosexual...

The FA's campaign has received input from organisations such as Pride Sports, The Justin Campaign (set up in Justin Fashanu's honour), Gay Football Supporters Network (GFSN), Stonewall and Kick It Out.

Organisations including GFSN, Kick It Out and Stonewall have welcomed the FA's plan and amongst the cautious optimism there is also a call for real action and commitment not just talk...

As part of the launch of its pledge to tackle homophobia and promote inclusivity for LGBT people within football, the FA also launched an introduction video to Opening Doors and Joining In.

Ben Summerskill, Stonewall Chief Executive, says in the film:

"People need to make sure that when it is tackled it is taken seriously and of course the media has a role in that too...

"And we have seen in recent months an increasing inclination even among commentators where you might not expect it to say that actually enough is enough - we cannot go on isolating an entire community from the game..."

The campaign aims to challenge stereotypes, encourage openness and participation and create a culture where homophobic and other forms of abuse are unacceptable and will be challenged...

Campaigners say they want to create a so what culture... and make a contribution to making wider society more tolerant.

The success story was highlighted this year like never before when it was announced in January that in India there had been no new cases discovered in the previous 12 months.

As such the End Polio Now illuminations planned for later this week maintain Rotary's End Polio Now pledge... And confirm the commitment is there from the charity's thousands of members to keep up the fight to eliminate polio and maintain routine immunisation campaigns for children.

Previous projections by the volunteer and fundraising organisation include The Coliseum in Rome, the Houses of Parliament in London, the Sydney Opera House, Table Mountain in Cape Town and Chicago's Wrigley Building. The Pyramids in Egypt as well as several castles in Scotland have also displayed the Rotary org's End Polio Now message.

Now some new suitably iconic buildings will experience the 'let there be light' effect on or around the charity's anniversary date of February 23.

Illumination sites this year include the Tower of London, February 23; the City Government Building in Taipei, Taiwan, February 23 to 25; India’s Agra Fort on February 23 and Melbourne’s Federation Square on February 25 to 27.

The lighting ceremony in India is perhaps the most pertinent, representing the progress made by Rotary and its partners in the Global Polio Eradication Initiative...

In the wake of India achieving one year without a case of polio, the Indian Ministry of Health and Family Welfare - in partnership with Rotary International - is also organising a Polio Summit to be held February 25 to 26 in New Delhi.

The summit is aiming to sustain the momentum toward eradicating polio as part of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, by promoting routine immunisation programmes; and also securing the necessary support from partners to continue the programmes. Members of the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation are expected to be there.

The Global Polio Eradication Initiative is organised by various national governments, WHO, Rotary International, the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and UNICEF and has proven remarkably effective.

Wild polio-virus transmission is now restricted to only three countries: Afghanistan, Nigeria and Pakistan - an all-time low. Worldwide, fewer than 650 cases of polio were confirmed for 2011, less than half the 1,352 infections reported in 2010.

Overall, the annual number of global polio cases has reduced drastically by more than 99 per cent since the initiative was launched in 1988...

This stance is confirmed in the UK, for instance, by an Ofsted report in 2011 that found mixed-sex schools were doing little to promote confidence in young women to aspire to a range of careers. The Ofsted survey found work placements for young women were almost always stereotypical female roles like hair-dressing and class choices such as dance, art and health care...

Not that there is anything wrong with these choices - in fact they are all fantastic opportunities - however women are clearly capable of taking on any career choice including those previously dominated by men such as in engineering and sciences.

And when given the chance in a tutored educational framework female students will show time and time again to have a great aptitude to tackle maths and sciences even at an early age...

The UN and other international agencies also express similar concerns and support programmes encouraging women into scientific and engineering careers, however attitudes in many areas still need to be enlightened.

ExxonMobil is now hoping to make a positive difference with its ninth annual Introduce a Girl to Engineering programme that aims to benefit hundreds of middle school students to participate in hands-on science and industry activities.

The ExxonMobil Foundation is collaborating with National Engineers Week in the USA to present Introduce a Girl to Engineering. In the programme ExxonMobil employees will host students at 13 company locations across the USA. The programme seeks to promote curiosity among students and help reduce the gender gap in the educational areas of science, technology, engineering and maths.

Clearly engineering is about building important systems, promoting and supporting communities with vital services and infrastructure and there is no need for it to be reliant on input only from men. It's great to see that the campaign aims to get all kids interested in maths and sciences, and especially girls who are under-represented in maths and sciences.

According to the National Science Foundation women are half of the country's employees yet hold only 13 per cent of engineering jobs.

ExxonMobil's charity foundation supports education, health and science programmes in the USA and globally supports basic education programmes, including those that promote women as catalysts for economic development.

National Engineers Week Foundation is launching its 11th annual Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day on Thursday, February 23, 2012.

On Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day women engineers, along with their male colleagues, will mentor and connect with as many as one million girls around the USA with practical workshops, web based discussions and a host of other fun educational events promoting the sciences...

The 21 Club on West 52nd Street provides an apt locale having featured in several Hollywood classics including All About Eve starring Bette Davis and Marilyn Monroe, Breakfast at Tiffany's starring Audrey Hepburn and Patricia Neal; and Wall Street which partnered Charlie Sheen and Michael Douglas...

Expected attendees include Beau Bridges, Alfre Woodard as well as other leading figure. The evening includes dinner and a live telecast of the always much anticipated Academy Awards.

Since 1990 the Academy has hosted a New York Oscar celebration for its East Coast members, many of whom are previous Academy Award winners or nominees. However, this year's event marks the first time the New York party will celebrate the New York film industry and also benefit a charity, namely the humanitarian aid organisation: FilmAid International.

FilmAid International is a humanitarian organisation that employs film and video to reach vulnerable communities and refugee camps in East Africa and elsewhere with a variety of messages of hope and guidance on practical solutions.

Academy members provide much of the financial support to FilmAid which offers film-based informational workshops, outdoor evening screenings and community-based film production programmes in East Africa, Haiti, Thailand and elsewhere...

Recently, FilmAid has enriched its programmes to include working with other communities in need in East Africa, in addition to working with refugees. The charity's initiatives aim to educate and inform on a whole range of important issues such as HIV/AIDS awareness, the prevention and treatment of malaria and cholera, maternal and reproductive health, hygiene and sanitation, gender-based violence and girls' access to education. Other campaigns include human rights, conflict resolution, land-mine awareness and repatriation.

The film charity also provides entertainment which includes selecting non-violent, family-oriented and uplifting films to be shown plus an extensive range of employment and skills training films.

The FilmAid Advisory Committee includes Robert De Niro, Whoopi Goldberg, Goldie Hawn, Steven Soderbergh, Liv Ullmann, Harvey Weinstein, Susan Sarandon and many other leading figures from the film industry...

The development of a new Anglo-French nuclear energy programme needs to be replaced by clean, green energy says leading environmental charity, Friends of the Earth.

Eco charity Friends of the Earth has described David Cameron's government's recent commitments to new nuclear plants as unnecessary and unaffordable. The plea for green energy solutions from Friends of the Earth comes as the UK and French governments sign up to new agreements to co-operate on nuclear energy.

The partnership on civil nuclear power gives the go-ahead to the building of a new generation of nuclear power plants in the UK. The deals include a new engineering contract between EDF and Kier/BAM for the UK's first proposed new nuclear project at Hinkley Point, Somerset.

Signalled by the UK government as a jobs bonanza there are also plans in the pipeline for new nuclear projects in Suffolk, Cumbria, North Wales and Gloucestershire.

The announcements can also be seen as signalling the UK and France's joint strategy to develop these two countries as the major technology and development centres for nuclear power in Europe…

In contrast Germany, another lead European nation, is phasing out nuclear power, a popular move which reflects the large populist anti-nuclear movement which remains in Germany but has largely fizzled out in the UK. However, green campaigners are continuing to urge for more investment in green energy solutions as an alternative...

Nuclear power production has been shown to be controversial not least at Fukishima, Chernobyl and others centres. It also carries the attendant problem of the safe disposal of nuclear waste which is an enormous topic of debate in itself. 

For more than 50 years Britain has been generating nuclear waste. It remains dangerously radioactive for about one million years and there is lots of it. Greenpeace says there is enough nuclear waste in the UK to fill the Royal Albert Hall five times...The main solution offered in the UK is burying it deep into the ground which of course has no guarantee of being 100 per cent safe... New nuclear plants will obviously add to the amount of waste being generated...

Critics of the plans to create a new wave of nuclear power facilities have described the move as expensive and essentially a deal struck that will benefit energy companies.

Commenting on the Britain and France co-operation projects in the UK, Friends of the Earth's Energy Campaigner Paul Steedman pointed out that:

"Billions of pounds have already been spent subsidising nuclear - and dealing with nuclear waste is expected to cost many billions more..."

Friends of the Earth urges solar panels and wind turbines as an increasingly affordable, clean and tested alternative that would also provide jobs creation.

The non-profit Sortir Du Nucleaire, the French anti-nuclear coalition, has similarly called for green alternatives to the proposed extension of France's nuclear power programme...

Pulp, the iconic nineties band who reformed in 2010 with their classic line-up, will perform on Saturday March 31.

Pulp were recently awarded the Teenage Cancer Trust Outstanding Contribution to Music NME Award.

The classic Pulp line-up will perform many of their greatest hits in aid of the charity supporting teenage cancer sufferers. The line-up includes Nick Banks, Jarvis Cocker, Candida Doyle, Steve Mackey and Mark Webber...

Tickets go on sale Friday for the concerts which are set to be avidly appreciated by fans.

Along with Pulp and all-time music legend Paul McCartney two of this year's Brit Awards nominated female artists, Jessie J and Florence + the Machine will also appear.

The headliners announced so far include: Thursday March 29 - Paul McCartney; Friday March 30 - Example; Saturday March 31 - Pulp; Sunday April 1 - Jessie J; Monday April 2 - Jason Manford (comedy); Tuesday April 3 - Florence + the Machine. Teenage Cancer Trust promises support acts will be announced soon...

Teenage Cancer Trust's annual music fundraisers have received recognition from the music industry and the public for the energetic and innovative line-ups they have provided over the years. The concerts also provide vital support to the charity which does so much to raise funds to help young people who are battling against cancer...

In fact, eleven years of concerts have raised over £14 million for Teenage Cancer Trust. The tenth anniversary shows, for instance, in 2010 raised a record £1.7 million to help young people with cancer. Those occasions featured performances by music icons The Specials as well as The Who, who provided a performance of their rock opera Quadrophenia as the finale.

All money raised from the concerts goes to build more specialist teenage cancer units in NHS hospitals across the UK...

The model was planning a fundraising catwalk show for Syrians but was told such an event would be too political... However, a number of fashionable celebrities have stepped into the breach organising a fashionable show with a difference...

These fundraising women are putting on a super sounding jumble sale event in London for those eager to get their hands on some ultra-fashionable celebrity wear... as well as other great fashion finds.

Remember second hand fashion is not just fashionable but is also good for the environment because essentially it involves recycling. And what can be more fashionable than buying items to support Oxfam's women's equality projects in the run up to International Women's Day...

Dawn Porter, Gemma Cairney, Jessie Cave, Kate Nash, Brigitte Aphrodite, Cherry Healy, Caroline Flack, Sara Cox, Gizzi Erskine and Grace Woodward have invited the public to check out their special event this Sunday.

TV presenter Dawn Porter says on her blog:

"We are going to raise loads of money for Oxfam to help women around the world. So bring your jumble, buy some jumble, have a jumble... let's jumble!!

"We must all get together. If you can't come, host your own..."

The jumble sale is on Sunday February 26 at St Pancras Old Church (NW1) in what promises to be a fab shopping event in aid of Oxfam's International Women's Day campaign.

Entrance is just £2 and all in aid of Oxfam and you must bring at least one bag of jumble.The event is promoting the Let's Get Together campaign from Oxfam which celebrates International Women's Day helping to raise money for women worldwide, especially sustainable development projects.

Oxfam also invite others to host Oxfam Get Togethers to help change the lives of women living in poverty around the world. The idea is to host any type of good fun fundraising get together you can think of, including film nights, cake sales or dinner parties, anything at all with the emphasis on having fun and raising funds to make a difference...

The Oxfam Get Together was launched in London in January building up to International Women's Day on March 8, when thousands of people are expected to host events for Oxfam.

The charity which has a strong emphasis on promoting women's rights and supporting women to support their families and communities is hoping to raise lots for good causes.

Money raised will go to efforts supporting girls' education, maternity care, women in business and a host of other worthwhile projects.

An example of Oxfam's women's projects includes development aid supporting women bee keepers in Ethiopia via The Enterprise Development Programme...

In fact, his record-breaking endurance treks are the stuff of legend and include trips across the Antarctic and up Everest. He is the only man alive ever to have travelled around the earth's circumpolar surface. In 2009 he completed the Everest Nepal summit and became the first person ever to summit Everest and cross both polar ice caps.

The respected explorer, fundraiser and author will headline a plenary session at the fundraising convention in London in July talking about his past fundraising efforts which have raised millions for charitable causes. The explorer has raised considerable sums for charities including the MS Society, Marie Curie Charity and the British Heart Foundation...

Mr Fiennes will appear at the IoF's National Fundraising Convention 2012 on Wednesday July 4 at 10am. The convention is taking place July 2-4 2012 at the Hilton London Metropole, on Edgware Road.

Over 2000 individuals are expected to attend the learning and networking event for fundraisers in Europe and will include a number of high profile speakers. IoF's National Convention offers 108 sessions covering a range of fundraising subjects delivered by leading experts.

Topics expected to be discussed at the event include issues surrounding communities and volunteers, digital fundraising, corporate partnerships, direct marketing, legacies, trusts and statutory funding and discussions will also extend to cover areas of philanthropy, giving trends, the Big Society agenda and wider sector related issues...

The Institute of Fundraising is the largest individual representative body in the voluntary sector with 5,200 individual members and 340 organisational members. The organisation offers training and networking on best practice and representation on issues affecting the fundraising environment.

As well as Ranulph Fiennes other speakers at the conference include Melanie Adams, Legacy Marketing Officer, Alzheimer's Society and Meriel Armson, High Value and Legacy Manager at Water Aid...

The developments also follow reports from a number of specialist equine charities in the UK revealing an increasing number of horses being abandoned and also treated cruelly in recent years.

Blue Cross, the RSPCA as well as World Horse Welfare have reported an upward trend in abandonment cases, which are thought to be partly fuelled by the rising costs of horse ownership.

World Horse Welfare is warning horse owners to be aware of rogue dealers offering horses good homes, but then who sell them on through public and private sales - a practice which is heart-breaking for the original owners especially when they discover their horses have been slaughtered for profit.

The charity reports some traders are actively seeking owners who are seeking a loving home for their horses promising to find them a new, decent owner but who then go on to sell them on to the slaughterhouse.

The charity is partnering with Trading Standards to pass on advice to owners including a reminder to always check the name and address given by the person taking the horse... Other advice includes insisting that the horse passport is updated before the horse leaves, if being given away, and then posting the update to the Passport Issuing Organisation.

Horse owners can also try to make regular visits to the new owner if possible to ensure all is well...

The charity also advises taking necessary precautions to ensure the reliability of transactions for buyers as well sellers. This includes checking the legitimacy of purchases via ID checks where appropriate and getting the horse vetted and if going ahead, seeking a written receipt.

For buyers the charity also suggests that considering the cost and commitment of buying a horse remains the supreme consideration...

Participants are invited to spend days in fancy dress in a motley collection of old vehicles, worth less than £350, whilst taking in the sights and raising funds for the charity Gemin-i. The charity brings together over 60,000 children in 122 countries helping to tackle problems such as HIV/Aids, human rights and conflict... 100 per cent of the money raised on the rally events goes to Gemin-i.

Money raised by participants for the 2012 trips will support Gemin-i's HIV360 project. The HIV360 project is about reaching children across the world and helping schools improve their students understanding of HIV and especially avoiding infection. The project also works to reduce prejudice against those with HIV.

Registration is open on all the charity event's 2012 routes.

These include the Sucata Split to Croatia, May 31 to June 4, that heads off from Bruges, Belgium, to Split in Croatia via Strasbourg, Munich, and Ljubljana, capital of Slovenia.

The Sucata Run to Portugal is from August 23 to 27... setting off from Rouen, the capital of Normandy to Cabo de Roca in Portugal via La Rochelle, France, and San Sebastian and Salamanca in Spain.

Sucata Budapest is from July 26 to 30 and takes in: Reims, France; Budapest, Hungary; Freiburg, Germany; Lake Como, Lombardy; and Salzburg, Austria...The Sucata Budapest route is new this year.

The organisers say the money raised through last year’s rallies has made a vast difference to Gemin-i's work. Through Gemin-i's HIV360 programme, children across the world have been learning about HIV and AIDS as well as sharing this knowledge with their communities.

The charity invites students to engage with one another directly using fully moderated instant messaging and other services.

For the fun road trip supporting the educational development charity Gemin-i each team member is asked to raise a minimum of £250...
 

Clean Up Australia Day is the annual event run by the charity Clean Up Australia that lets Australians show off their respect for their local environment.

Clean Up Australia, voted Australia's most trusted environmental charity by the Reader's Digest, actively supports positive environmental attitudes all year round. However, its good old clean up offers an especially practical and easy way for environmental supporters to get involved and make a big difference. It's about respecting Australia, having fun and making a practical statement that can benefit your local environment and collectively at a national level.

This year the charity is urging even more Australians to take part than the estimated 565,510 volunteers who got stuck in in 2011 and cleaned up 16,454 tonnes at 7,479 sites across Oz… Volunteers are encouraged to make a commitment to the big clean up by registering their own clean up site or by volunteering at a site near where they live.

Volunteers and followers can also help with Clean Up Australia 2012 by setting up and supporting fundraising events…

The charity is also running the similarly popular Business Clean Up Day on February 28 and Schools Clean Up Day on March 2. 

Last year 337 businesses across Australia took part in Business Clean Up Day and shifted more than 16,000 tonnes of rubbish. Also in 2011 over 2,200 Schools Clean Up Sites were registered, but again the Clean Up Australia charity is hoping for an even better turn out this year...

Anti-littering drives have been proven to make a great difference to the environment, keeping rubbish out of landfill as well as beautifying and inspiring pride in local nature as well as urban environments.

The burgeoning event began as Clean Up Sydney Harbour Day in 1989 with more than 40,000 Sydneysiders turning out, and rapidly morphed into a national clean up the following year...

The planned legislation aims to permanently end the use of chimpanzees and other great apes in invasive experiments and retire federally owned apes to sanctuaries. The bill is being supported by more than 160 senators and representatives and is expected to save taxpayers millions of dollars a year.

"I was shocked to learn that the use of chimpanzees in experiments still persists in the US even though the entire European Union and every other country around the world, except for tiny Gabon, have banned such experiments," writes Harrelson in the letter.

The practice of chimps being held in cages in US laboratories has become a lead issue for animal welfare enthusiasts in the United States and across the world. These highly sensitive and intelligent animals can be held in cages for up to 50 years and experimentation can involve them becoming infected with diseases such as HIV/AIDS and hepatitis...

Chimps are humans' closest relatives with advanced emotional intelligence and communications. The suffering they experience in such conditions is prolonged and intense say experts.

Many scientists also regard the treatment as scientifically unjustifiable for researching human diseases. Meanwhile hundreds of millions of dollars has been spent on the research...

The Great Ape Protection and Cost Savings Act was introduced last year with bipartisan support in both the US Senate and House of Representatives.

The bill that wants to end chimpanzee research for good in the US and to see chimpanzees retired to sanctuaries has drawn support from more than 600 scientists, physicians and educators as well as the public. Other actors including Ellen DeGeneres along with Harrelson have supported the PETA campaign to end chimp experiments.

The campaign appears to be gathering momentum towards a sensible solution… Other animal charities such as the Humane Society of the United States are supporting the proposed ape protection legislation. 

The youngster from Romsey who suffers from acute lymphoblastic leukaemia was asked by the Make-A-Wish Foundation what he would like for his wish… The young man chose a trip Lego shopping for his favourite Star Wars toys because he says the toys help to cheer him up while he is undergoing treatment.

The wish was granted by Make-A-Wish Foundation UK, the charity that grants wishes to youngsters aged 3-17 who are facing life-threatening conditions.

Other recent wishes granted by the UK branch of the international charity include a wish for a young Newcastle United football fan, Ryan, who was born diagnosed with a rare condition of the oesophagus and the trachea and was granted his wish of meeting Newcastle United coach Alan Pardew. 

Other wishes from the charity lately include one for 13-year-old Amber who wanted to visit The Royal Ballet and have a dance class. The youngster has been diagnosed with a cancer tumour of the muscles.

The UK Make-A-Wish charity is affiliated to the growing International Make-A-Wish Foundation that was launched in the USA and now helps kids in 47 countries.

Since 1980 assisted by donors and a growing army of volunteers, the Make-A-Wish Foundation has granted more than 270,000 wishes to youngsters facing serious ill health worldwide...

Recent fundraising events include the Make-A-Wish Valentine's Ball in London with guests including antiques expert Jamie Breese, Harry Potter actors James and Oliver Phelps, and Make-A-Wish patron Justin Fletcher, the BBC Cbeebies entertainer.

The fundraising was assisted with a prize of a pot of tea at The Ritz with another Make-A-Wish patron Jude Law, which benefited from a bid of £20,000...

The Make-A-Wish charity has profited from a large number of celebrity supporters over the years, including Andy Murray, Halle Berry, Adam Sandler, Bill Clinton, John Terry, Tommy Hilfiger, Paris Hilton and many, many more...

The team expected to conquer Kilimanjaro includes a group of injured and disabled servicemen. The forces charity that supports injured military folk is leading a 30 strong expedition, including five forces amputees to the top of Africa's highest mountain...

Mr Bannatyne will tackle Mount Kilimanjaro, a whopping 19,340 feet above sea level, along with the team that also includes Miss Commonwealth International, Hayley Mac.

The charity was started by a number of ex Special Forces members and has developed into an organisation of fundraisers made up of invited guests and followers. The charity's members and supporters take on sponsorship challenges to raise funds for charities such as the Julia Perks Foundation, Teenage Cancer Trust, Special Air Service Regiment Association and Help for Heroes...

The organisation was recognised as an official charity in 2010 by the Charity Commission.

Some of the charity's special interests are supporting amputees and other disabled veterans' causes, and the charity says it wants to develop funds for research and development into prosthetics for the wounded.

The charity's mission statement is also about challenging the public as well as injured ex-service people to take on challenges for good causes, in order to learn something about themselves and have fun. Previous challenges have included crossing the Sahara desert on snow shoes...

Among the soldiers taking part in the Kilimanjaro climb include amputee Chris Parkes, from the 3rd Battalion Rifles who was injured by an Improvised Explosive Device in Afghanistan…and then shot. He lost his left leg and now has a prosthetic limb.

Duncan Bannatyne has become a passionate patron of the charity Pilgrim Bandits. The charity's motto is that it does not do sympathy...

Mr Bannatyne has described wanting to support the get up and go charity after seeing the tremendous work they do with forces amputees... Prior to embarking for Kilimanjaro the TV star remarked:

"There will be seven serving soldiers from 7 Rifles plus five amputees on the trip and I will have to train hard to make sure I'm not left behind..."

The celebs have been vocal in backing the project which aims to give a second chance to many young people who in some cases have not had the opportunities and advantages of their peers. The scheme also aims to break down discrimination aimed at young people that often stereotypes them as lazy...

The Prince's Trust Job Ambassadors scheme helps young unemployed people better their lives through work and training. The scheme which has been described as a 'no brainer' sees Job Ambassadors receive work and training to help other youngsters who are seeking similar opportunities.

This week Prince Charles visited the headquarters of his youth charity to announce investment in the scheme in the form of 100 new jobs for unemployed young people - who will then help a further 100,000 young people to find work.

The announcement is a direct response to current youth unemployment which hit 1.04 million last month...

The Prince's Trust scheme will help 100,000 young unemployed this year alone.

The Job Ambassador initiative will launch in the West Midlands where the city of Wolverhampton has one of the highest youth unemployment rates in the country. It will then be rolled out elsewhere, focusing on other regions of high unemployment and will be particularly focused on helping long-term unemployed youngsters.

Ambassadors once trained will give encouraging talks based on their individual experiences and deliver one-to-one help on preparing for work.

The Prince's charity wants to see businesses and individuals help to grow the scheme and has set a minimum target of reaching 300,000 youngsters over the next three years. Last year, more than three in four young people assisted by the Prince's Trust entered work, education or training.

But the charity wants to go a step further and stop rising youth unemployment in its tracks...

The Red Cross was the charity receiving the most UK media coverage in 2011, says the new report. The Annual Charity Barometer for 2011 examined online, print and broadcast coverage for 74 charities with the highest level of news interest.

The news follows previous studies which show the Red Cross to be a charity with consistently one of the biggest profiles amongst the public. 

The charity was an early adopter of social media and has one of the biggest following on Twitter in the NGO sector, a trend that has been followed and identified by Craig Connects... Similar surveys, such as the Harris Interactive survey in 2010, have revealed the Red Cross amongst the most trusted NGO brands.

The charity is also an effective fundraiser. The American Red Cross, for example, was one of the best performing national charities according to Forbes in 2011, raising £1.08 billion from private donations. 

The high levels of impact, visibility and trust can be explained by factors such as the organisation's focus and success at building effective communications and working in partnership with its stakeholders. As well as maintaining a level of interest in social trends affecting donor and other public commitments to charity...

The scale and reach of the organisation is another factor. The humanitarian org working around the world is the biggest of its kind and one with an historic tradition which again builds trust.

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world's largest group of humanitarian NGOs with 187 member national societies.

Working as a humanitarian agency for those affected by war all over the world; as well as poverty and disaster relief the Red Cross is a large organisation but one that appears to strike a chord with the public as a well-run one...

An independent body based in Geneva, Switzerland, the Red Cross employs 12,000 people in 80 countries and is financed mainly by voluntary donations.

An example of the organisation's sensitivity when it comes to keeping up with its customers and its branding profile is the charity' new look brand identity recently revealed for the American Red Cross. The American Red Cross officially unveiled its new brand identity this month with a new button style logo that features the iconic Red Cross image framed like a lapel or T-shirt button.

The charity says the new look symbolises the personal participation of its partners in the Red Cross mission and is designed to appeal to both long-time Red Cross supporters as well as new volunteers and donors.

The Red Cross is expected to ramp up its subtle rebranding in March with lots of local events to confirm the theme, such events which are sure to attract further attention from the media and public alike...

Younger examples of these richly detailed creatures, which are strikingly similar to full sized chameleons, are so tiny they can rest on a match head... Adults do not reach more than 29 mm in length.

The incredible discovery of the tiny chameleons is revealed in the journal PLoS ONE.

The minute chameleon discovery is an example of a dwarf chameleon and is thought to represent a major case of miniaturisation of a recognisable species. The newly described Brookesia micra is thought to be one of the smallest reptiles in the world.

One theory why the miniaturised species occurs is that it is an extreme case of what is known as island dwarfism, where over an extensive evolutionary period a species is thought to shrink adapting to its restricted habitat, i.e. on an island. While these little chameleons are often smaller than a thumb nail, the biggest known chameleon is about 70 cm long...

Scientists found several new species which conform to the miniaturisation pattern during their research trip. But interestingly the tiny Brookesia micra could be an even more unique evolutionary leap, being found only on the small island of Nosy Hara, off the main Madagascar island, thereby possibly an evolutionary development operating in tandem to tiny species found on the main island.

"The extreme miniaturisation of these dwarf reptiles might be accompanied by numerous specialisations of the body plan, and this constitutes a promising field for future research," explained herpetologist Frank Glaw, an expert in this field.

The Zoological State Collection Munich (ZSM), the Zoologische Staatssammlung, is a research institution for zoological systematics funded in part by The Friends of the Zoological State Collection Munich, a registered charity based in Munich promoting donations, endowments and bequests.

ZSM is also linked to a number of non-profit groups including the Heterocera Sumatrana Society (HSS), Munich Entomological Society (MEG) and the Ornithological Society in Bavaria (OG).

One of the main issues highlighted by the scientists working on this find is the need for greater conservation efforts for these and other unique micro-species in Madagascar, which along with other more familiar species are heavily threatened by deforestation...

In fact, the initiative operated by young volunteers could teach a few professional fundraisers a thing or two about generating funds for good causes with an innovative and well executed idea. The fundraising initiative by the industrious scout network has now raised half a million pounds for good causes...

Every year the Wirral Charity Christmas Post, a non-profit organisation, raises thousands of pounds for local charities through the Scout and Guide run Christmas Post. Scouts and Guides across Wirral sell stamps and then deliver Christmas cards on the weekend before Christmas...

Scouts raised £22,500 for charity through their recent Christmas Post - creating a total so far of money raised of half a million pounds. Proceeds from December's Scout Post has been divided between various local good causes...

Charities to benefit include a number of popular choices such as Guide Dogs for the Blind, the League of the Good Samaritans, The Multiple Sclerosis Society, and Wirral & Cheshire Riding for the Disabled and many others.

The Wirral Scout and Guide Charity Post is a co-operative venture between 46 Scout Groups, two Guide Units, three Ranger Units and five Guide Districts who deliver Christmas Cards across the Wirral, raising money for charity...

The scheme is organised into five areas each with a main sorting office which is responsible for collecting the cards from the Charity Post Boxes in their area. Cards are normally delivered on the two weekends prior to Christmas during daylight hours, with adults involved to ensure safety of the younger participants...

The efforts of the Wirral scouts reflects the upturn in scouting of late, which has seen rising volunteer numbers. The movement also received another boost this year when Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cornwall, announced she will start volunteering for the Scout Association in 2012...

The network Sortir Du Nucleaire wants to see the phasing out of nuclear power in line with health, environmental and public safety considerations...

Commentating on plans to extend the life of French reactors to 40 years the non-profit says the recent decision is based solely on economic motivations and questions the inevitability of such a programme.

The group says the current rhetoric, that too much money was invested in nuclear power plants to close them is a false logic post-Fukushima and wants instead to see France commit to clean and safe energy solutions which have the power to create jobs and generate new economies...

The Sortir Du Nucleaire group has reaffirmed its commitment to the phase out of nuclear power generation and is stepping up its campaigns to promote alternative and sustainable energy generation scenarios.

The non-profit's main focus is public safety identifying the outcome that a potential nuclear accident could provoke, including health risks and damage to the environment...

The group also draws attention to France's isolationist approach compared to its neighbours such as Italy, Germany and Belgium that have already chosen to phase out nuclear power.

Concerns are rightly high concerning nuclear power post-Fukushima and there is also the backdrop of the high level nuclear disaster in Chernobyl in which more than 6,000 young people were subsequently reported to have developed thyroid cancer following exposure to radiation.

Many charities including Sortir Du Nucleaire, Greenpeace and Friends of the Earth believe that the dangers of nuclear power and the awareness of safer alternatives should be higher on the agenda...

Recent developments include a cash injection to support coalfield communities in the future courtesy of £22 million announced by Communities Minister Bob Neill...

The funding will be allocated to the Coalfields Regeneration Trust over two years to 2015 to help transform coalmining communities. The funds are also to help the charity become a self-sustaining organisation not solely reliant on government funding. This £22 million cash injection is on top of the £30 million already confirmed for 2012 and 2013.

Recent initiatives of the charity include a new Skills Factory in East Kent, to help local people into new employment. Backed with £200,000 funding from the trust, the Skills Factory based in Aylesham will help provide training in much needed skills to meet local demand.

The coal industry once dominant in the UK and especially the North of England and Wales has been in decline for decades. Harsh job losses in some communities in the past has contributed to long-term unemployment and hardship. That hardship continues to blight the lives of young people who are now hit by a fresh economic downturn...

Investments from the charity aim to address this and recently include offering opportunities for 255 young people with apprenticeship and employment options.

The investment, which is part of the Coalfields Regeneration Trust's National Apprenticeship Programme, comes as official figures from the Office for National Statistics show youth unemployment has increased to 1.04 million.

The additional investment by the trust brings the number of opportunities provided to young people in coalfield areas through the programme to nearly 550 and the investment by the CRT to more than £1.1 million.

The investment will go towards creating apprenticeship and employment opportunities in Bolsover, Durham, Northumberland, Rotherham, Stoke on Trent, Sunderland, Warrington and West Nottinghamshire...

Artist David Datuna, known for his celebrity works including previously a portrait of Steve Jobs, donated the epic work of Vodianova for a unique charity auction.

The Russian model, actress and noted philanthropist is a founder and president of the Naked Heart Foundation, a charity providing bespoke play facilities for young children in Russia. The Russian superstar was moved by a lack of facilities for children on a previous visit to her homeland...

The charity has since built urban playgrounds, playparks and other facilities in Russian towns and cities over the last six years.

A total of 65 play facilities have been built in 47 Russian towns and cities including public parks, residential areas and orphanages. One of the charity's recent completed projects was the construction of a playground in the village of Upper Fiagdon, North Ossetia...

The model, known for campaigns with numerous leading brands such as Calvin Klein, Louis Vuitton, Yves Saint Laurent, L'Oréal, Stella McCartney, Versace, Chanel and others, saw her portrait sold at the annual benefit gala in Moscow to raise funds for her charity.

American artist David Datuna donated a portrait of Vodianova for the special auction held by Simon de Pury of Phillips de Pury & Company which also featured works by Dinos Chapman and others.

Vodianova - Love of Millions was sold for $790,000 (600,000 Euros) to an undisclosed Russian collector and was the highest grossing artwork of the evening. The portrait was fashioned in the artist's modern take on pop art, featuring a portrait of Natalia Vodianova constructed from thousands of miniature images of Robert Indiana's LOVE sculpture in collaboration with New York-based artist Alex Guofeng Cao...

The Naked Heart Foundation, Vodianova's non-profit initiative, is dedicated to providing safe recreational facilities to children with special needs as well as building security monitored play areas throughout poor neighbourhoods in Russia.

The Naked Heart Foundation will soon be launching a new programme supporting the development of new and existing family and child friendly support centres...

The latest grant awards brought EJAF's final total grant-making commitments for calendar year 2011 to a record $8,316,871 with disbursements totalling $7,006,871 last year. The awards are designed to address the needs of under-served populations and maintain EJAF's focus on funding demographics and geographic regions that are seriously impacted by HIV/AIDS.

The Elton John AIDS Foundation was established as a non-profit organisation in the USA in 1992 and as a registered charity in the UK in 1993 by Sir Elton John.

Together, both organisations have raised more than $225 million for HIV/AIDS programmes in 55 countries. The EJAF charity seeks to support innovative HIV prevention programmes, eliminate stigma and discrimination associated with HIV/AIDS and direct care and support services for people living with HIV/AIDS.

The US Elton John AIDS Foundation organisation's current grant-making priorities target HIV prevention programmes throughout the USA, the Americas and the Caribbean. The latest grant commitments totalling $3,221,622 were awarded for 19 new and 29 renewal grants, including health services for black women and programmes focused on the health and rights of gay and bisexual men.

Other awards include programmes designed to help people with HIV who are leaving prison to access and stay on treatment and maintain their health as they reintegrate into society. The grants include small community grants supporting services for gay men throughout Latin America...

The awards also include clinical and mental health services and support over 50 community organisations providing needle exchange and harm reduction services for injection drug users. The EJAF charity reports privately-funded syringe access programmes have led to a decline in HIV incidence in the US due to injection drug use.

Sample beneficiaries include the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care; Gay and Lesbian Community Centre of Greater Fort Lauderdale; Harlem United Community AIDS Centre, New York.

Many of the initiatives are local community organisations developing HIV prevention and service programmes that are tailor-made to the needs of their client base. Such organisations offer support, rehabilitation and often are simply about putting the resources in place to save lives...

The charity is urging the international community to make its biggest efforts yet on ending the shocking reality of widespread hunger. The charity says the problem of global hunger could be solved but continues due to lack of investment, exacerbated by rising food prices and a lack of coordination at a global level. The charity sees simple measures over a wide scale as the answer...

Save the Children says a package of basic measures including breastfeeding and fortifying basic foods with essential minerals or vitamins could save millions of lives. Such a package could save the lives of two million children a year and prevent over 60 million young lives from being damaged by malnutrition.

Save the Children is urging British Prime Minister David Cameron to launch an international hunger summit during Olympics 2012 with world leaders in London. The summit would aim to find agreement and fund tangible action to confront the ongoing scandal of poverty and malnutrition affecting so many children.

Save the Children wants to see the UK government use the Olympics to inspire action to reduce hunger and especially protect children from food price spikes. What's required the charity suggests is hard, real action designed to deliver results...

The charity's new awareness/fundraising campaign that hopes to inspire the biggest push in history against global hunger is being promoted across various media, and follows Save the Children's A Life Free from Hunger: Tackling Child Malnutrition report...

The survey carried out in Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Peru and Nigeria concludes that rising food prices and lack of global investment in tackling malnutrition is putting progress on child mortality at risk. For instance, whilst child mortality rates from malaria have been cut by a third since 2000, child malnutrition rates in Africa have decreased by less than 0.3 per cent each year over the same period.

The Save the Children report found a third of parents surveyed revealed that their children complained they did not have enough to eat, and one in six said their children were skipping school to work for food.

The crisis follows a year of record food prices while even before the food price spikes millions of the poorest children in the world were struggling to gain adequate nutrition. Malnutrition can impact on long-term health and educational achievement as well as provide life threatening conditions in the worst cases...

Save the Children wants to see the UK government show the same leadership it gave last year when Britain committed to major global vaccination programmes...

Over 80 million under-fives living in some of the poorest countries in the world are now being vaccinated against diseases like pneumonia and diarrhoea as part of a broad collective approach.

Similar major announcements were made in London last month as part of a coordinated approach from international partners, including the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, to accelerate progress towards eliminating major neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) by the end of the decade.

Now Save the Children wants to see a similar approach to end child hunger...

The bank launched the initiative last year, offering £6,000 local community awards. 27 Welsh charities alone have shared £162,000 from grants via the scheme...

In Wales, NatWest branch staff also raised over £37,000 for good causes last year, including over £9,000 raised for Children In Need and £4,000 for the Gleision Miners Appeal.

Some of the organisations receiving support in Wales have been Aberglaslyn Mountain Rescue Team in Porthmadog, Conwy Young Carers, Llanelli Youth Theatre, Cardigan Bay Watersports, the Empowering Youth Foundation in Wrexham, Cardiff Noah's Ark Appeal and Pontypridd Mini Rugby.

The scheme created 158 individual funds across the UK and in each one NatWest offered three local projects the chance to win awards of £6,000 each. The initiative is actively encouraging volunteering in local charities and hopes to raise awareness about the value of this to local communities.

The total awards made by the bank throughout the UK is just under two million pounds...

Other benefiting charities across the country include Lluest Horse and Pony Trust, an equine rescue and rehabilitation centre with 140 horses in its care, Derbyshire Dales Careline helping folk in the Dales community and FSID Care of Next Infant (CONI) scheme that supports previously bereaved families in Preston who go on to have another baby.

Other charities to benefit include Marie Curie Cancer Hospice Solihull and the Mind the Gap Theatre Company that wants to run a film-making project for young people with learning disabilities in the Bradford area.

Another beneficiary of the awards scheme is The Rainbow Centre in Hampshire that supports children with Cerebral Palsy and adults with a stroke, MS and Parkinson's disease.

It's a reminder that thousands of small, medium as well as large, local, national and international charities are working in communities all over the world to actively make a positive difference to society...

The team of Mount Everest charity challengers are Captain Martin Hewitt, Private Jaco Van Gass, Captain David Wiseman, Private Karl Hinett and Doctor Francis Atkinson who are all raising funds for the charity Walking with the Wounded.

The expedition, which counts Prince Harry as its patron, promises to be a fantastic achievement and aims to build on the charity's previous impressive fundraising challenges...

Last October a Walking with the Wounded team tackled the world's 8th highest mountain, Manaslu, in the Himalayas. The charity's previous expeditions also include 2011's successful polar challenge which saw a team of war-wounded amputees reach the North Pole.

The ex-service persons' charity is now looking forward to their Mount Everest 2012 Expedition which will see the team of five wounded soldiers aim to climb 8,848 metres...

The team of five wounded soldiers have experienced severe injuries. Captain Martin Hewitt received two gun-shots through the right shoulder making his right arm paralysed. Private Jaco Van Gass was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade which led to the loss of his left arm.

The team who have been training in the Alps including a successful summit of Grand Paradiso in Italy, attempt to reach Mount Everest, the highest peak in the world, starting their challenge in May...

The charity Walking with the Wounded aims to raise awareness about the serious injuries and disabilities that the military endure. It plans significant expedition challenges to show that disabled and injured ex-service people can and do lead fulfilling lives contributing to society. The charity supports organisations that help injured servicemen and women to rebuild their lives, and especially projects which help the wounded reintegrate and retrain for civilian life.

These include Skill Force, an education charity which trains ex wounded servicemen and women to mentor in schools, encouraging participation in full-time education, and also the Poppy Factory that funds back to work programmes for the wounded and disabled...

The charity has already received significant support from the public but boosted its coffers more this week courtesy of a charity sale from sponsor Glenfiddich, that saw a rare reserve Scotch Whiskey sell for £44,000 at auction in London...

The charity also received a lift in the last week when expedition patron Prince Harry officially launched the Everest 2012 challenge...

Lady Gaga and Cynthia Germanotta announced on Valentine's Day that Oprah Winfrey will be joining them at Harvard University for the official launch of the Born This Way Foundation (BTWF), the name a reference to the Lady Gaga song: Born This Way, in which she sang: "There's nothing wrong with loving who you are..."

The pro-diversity and tolerance charity is expected to revolve around programmes seeking to empower young people, promoting anti-bullying and acceptance.

Guests at the event launch also include author Deepak Chopra as well as Jesse Climenko, Professor of Law and Director of the Charles Hamilton Houston Institute for Race and Justice.

The one-day launch event will be co-hosted by the Born This Way Foundation, along with Harvard's Berkman Centre for Internet & Society, the Harvard Graduate School of Education, the John D & Catherine T MacArthur Foundation and The California Endowment...

The event will include a range of policy makers, non-profit organisations, foundation leaders, students and young people at the Harvard Graduate School of Education's Askwith Forum. Highlights of the launch event are also promised to be featured in an upcoming episode of Oprah's Next Chapter on the Oprah Winfrey Network...

As well as promoting issues like self-confidence, well-being and anti-bullying the Born This Way Foundation is expected to develop mentoring and career development through research, education and encouragement... The charity is expected to have a big focus on digital services, that have proven to be effective in these areas. 

The non-profit's organisers are promising more details prior to the event...

Lady Gaga has been an ardent supporter of pro-tolerance education issues since emerging as an international star and includes HIV/AIDS awareness, sexual and gender equality as well as anti-poverty and anti-bullying campaigns as part of her track record of supporting positive causes.

In the past she has supported charities such as Oxfam, the Alzheimer's Association, the MAC Aids Fund and Artists for Peace and Justice to name just a few.

Her own charity - the Born this Way Foundation - announced last year, is expected to spread similar messages of self-awareness, commitment and tolerance and is already attracting support and attention worldwide...

Kate Middleton visited the Brink, a non-alcoholic bar run by Action on Addiction, of which she is a patron, and also Alder Hey Children's Hospital; as well as the new accommodation and support facilities provided by Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) at Alder Hey. The RMHC House at Alder Hey is run by the Alder Hey Family House Trust Ltd, an independent charity.

Action on Addiction is a charity helping people recover from addiction that has a treatment centre in Liverpool. Kate Middleton became patron in January, along with three other UK charities.

Whilst visiting the Brink bar the Duchess chatted to staff and was sang to by a choir made up of recovering addicts… The Raucous Caucus Recovery Chorus sang Wings Of A Dove.

Kate Middleton then visited Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, a specialist hospital caring for young people, providing treatment for more than 200,000 children each year…

Kate Middleton also visited Ronald McDonald House Alder Hey, drawing attention to the growing contribution this charity is making to families facing difficult circumstances. Ronald McDonald House Charities operates world-wide providing free accommodation and support for families visiting seriously ill children at nearby hospitals.

The Duchess visited some of the charity's 15 new apartments that have been recently added to the Alder Hey accommodation and support centre, whilst chatting with some of the families using the service. Whilst there the Duchess also received a Valentine's Day card from ten-year-old Ethan Harris, who presented her with the card he had made himself.

The card made from red paper with painted spots, included on the front a picture of his brother, Carson Hartley, cut into a heart shape. Inside, the young fellow had written a poem for the Duchess:

"You're smiley like the sun, you're bright like a star, you're light when it's dark and I love your spark."

Kate Middleton thanked him and said it was lovely.

The Duchess also unveiled a plaque commemorating her visit. Crowds cheered and waved flags throughout Kate Middleton's Valentine's Day visit to the windswept city...

Staff at Dogs Trust Glasgow are appealing to animal lovers this Valentine's Day to provide a home for two special pairs of dogs that can be found at their rehoming centre. The Scottish animal rehoming charity occasionally receives dogs to its rescue centre that are lifelong companions, as is the case of Gypsy and Murphy who came to Dogs Trust Glasgow together following the sad death of their owner...

The Glasgow branch of the Dog's Trust also has other canine couples seeking new homes this Valentine's Day including Rocky and Tramp, a pair of lovable rascals that were rescued from a farm with over 70 other dogs...

The charity says that on behalf of both pairs of animals they are hoping visitors will appear at the centre this week and it will be love at first sight...

Looking after two dogs can be an extra drain on resources as they will need food, bedding and other equipment times two, so it is an extra financial burden... However the joy of watching two animals play together and providing companionship for each other can be a lot of laughs and very rewarding say multiple dog owners.

Fourteen year old Gypsy and five year old Murphy are Labrador crosses who have been together all their lives and so are firm friends. Gypsy is an elderly lady and relies on the support from her younger friend Murphy says the charity. Staff feel that separating Gypsy from Murphy would crack her heart in two...

The Dogs Trust, the largest dog welfare charity in the UK, always tries to keep couples of the bow-wow variety together as the strain can be difficult for them if they are separated... Dogs, remember, are very social animals and form intense social pacts in the wild as they do in domestic circumstances.

Rocky and Tramp are also a close pair, says the charity, who grew up on a farm together and enjoy each other's company and so are ideally seeking adult owners who can properly care for them and offer them love and companionship.

If you would like to offer a loving home to a pair of animals or a single animal the Dogs Trust welcomes enquiries from responsible owners for these and its other rescue animals at any of its centres... as well as offers of support to help it keeps up its good work all year around...

The influential trio can be seen on April 17 at the Table Mountain Casino in Friant, California. Crosby, Stills & Nash also appear at Agua Caliente Casino in Rancho Mirage, California on April 18. Crosby, Stills & Nash also perform at The Joint at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada on April 20. The final US show of the reformed supergroup’s short US spring tour is at the Performing Arts Centre of San Luis Obispo on April 22.

Tickets go on sale later this week.

The critically acclaimed Crosby, Stills & Nash inspired other groups including the Eagles with their laid back country style and innovative harmony arrangements and famously appeared at the Woodstock hippy festival in 1969 as their first performance together as a trio. At Woodstock they stunned music industry onlookers and fans with the mesmerising talent they combined in what seemed an effortless and natural partnership.

The group has announced its four US concerts for April 2012 in between a tour of Australia and New Zealand. As part of the shows Crosby, Stills & Nash are donating $1 from every ticket sale to various charities, including environmental, human rights and music education charities.  

Crosby, Stills & Nash also performed at the charity benefit MUSE - Musicians United for Safe Energy - at the Shoreline Amphitheatre in California last year as a benefit for Japan disaster relief as well as groups promoting non-nuclear energy.

The supergroup comprises David Crosby of the Byrds fame, Stephen Stills from Buffalo Springfield, and Graham Nash formerly of the Hollies, each accomplished musicians and uniquely talented singers, their combination has proven beguiling on each and every musical outing.

The trio occasionally joined by Neil Young as Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young have managed the feat of combining musical sophistication, laid back charm and close harmony singing into a highly commercial and yet critically applauded outcome.

Remaining true to their hippy ideals it's great to see them back and supporting some worthwhile causes as well as entertaining their loyal fans in California... and across Australasia...

It may well be the case that some EU officials in their corridors of power in Brussels look forward to receiving a Valentine's card from a glamorous pop star to brighten their day.

Well that's what John Dalli, European Commissioner for Health and Consumer Policy has received today...

However the pop star's Valentine’s card and letter is not one of devotion but more of a rap on the knuckles... The message features the singer wearing an End Animal Testing body art message... and includes a plea for a complete ban on animal tested cosmetics across the EU.

The singer and the charity Humane Society International which she is supporting are concerned about a potential loophole occurring allowing unethical animal tested products into the European Union. The Valentine's correspondence is part of Leona Lewis' support for the Humane Society International’s CrueltyFree2013 campaign.

Whilst the European Union banned animal testing for cosmetics in 2009, the campaign points out that ingredients can still be tested on animals in other countries and sold in EU stores.

The ban on selling these animal-tested cosmetics is due to come into force in 2013 and animal welfare activists see this as a major incentive for cosmetic companies to stop animal testing.

However, Leona Lewis along with the charity is concerned that Commissioner Dalli is now considering a proposal that would undermine the ban by giving cosmetics companies a loophole to continue making profits in the EU from the considerable animal suffering that occurs.

In her Valentine's Day message to the commissioner Leona Lewis writes:

"Animals have suffered enough. If their pain has been deemed immoral within the EU, it must also be immoral outside the EU. To trade in their pain would be hypocrisy..."

The campaign points out that cosmetics animal testing is inhumane and unnecessary forcing animals to suffer painful toxicity tests for no real discernible purpose. Whilst thousands of animals are killed in cosmetics tests each year cruelty free products are readily available using safe ingredients.

Guinea pigs, rabbits, mice and hamsters are commonly used for testing in countries outside the EU including China and the United States. Procedures can involve force-feeding animals with cosmetic ingredients and having them dripped on to their eyes or on to their skin and even forcing pregnant animals to ingest substances to see the effects on offspring.

Leona Lewis and the Humane Society International's campaign is also being supported by Ricky Gervais, Dame Judi Dench, Sir Roger Moore, Virginia McKenna and others...

Additional animal welfare charities such as Animal Aid and BUAV are also running cruelty free cosmetics campaigns hoping to ensure EU legislation offers a resounding no to cruelty testing for cosmetics...

So why not get out and about and have some fun and support a local good cause or even an event supporting a national or international charity?

One of the more unusual has to be the Christian Aid fundraiser in Exeter at St Thomas the Apostle Church… To raise funds for Christian Aid's anti-poverty campaigns you can abseil 80ft down this large historic church!

Fundraisers are invited to take on the challenge solo or with their partner, either way really get the pulses racing by soaring down this amazing sandstone building… This could be the perfect opportunity on February 14 to show your partner your romantic qualities!

Other events around the country include a Valentines charity ball in Bristol at the Radisson Blu Hotel on Friday February 17 in aid of St Peter's Hospice and the African-Caribbean Leukaemia Trust, featuring music from the Substitute Supremes.

On February 14 the Rotherham Hospital Charity Valentine's Day cake day in the Rooftop Restaurant offers tasty treats in aid of charity...

There's also a Valentine's Day fundraiser at the Groundlings Theatre in Portsea supporting the tropical storm Washi appeal. The event Love Mindano on February 14 features music and arts from the Portsmouth and Southsea area. 

For those seeking humour in the Brighton area to warm you up this Valentine's Day, the Charity Chuckle event featuring Rich Perry, Lee Hume and others on February 14 at the Latest Music Bar is raising money for SPIN, the Single Parent Information Network.

Valentine fundraisers offer a perfect opportunity for charities to raise funds each year especially with themed, novelty events as well as selling distinctive goods... as well as auctions, novelty items, raffles and more...

There's still time to enjoy a Valentine's Day event this week for charity or even host your own Valentine's event if you want to raise funds for your local charity... Why not get creative and come up with a Valentine's charity event with a difference?

Zambia's first football trophy on Sunday beating favourites Ivory Coast is ever the more remarkable when you consider its history.  

A terrible plane disaster led to the loss of 18 players in 1993 when the team's plane crashed into the sea.

However, since then the team has been rebuilt and now this desperately poor nation’s football team has gone on to achieve major tournament success in the African Cup of Nations... Following their nations cup penalties victory on Sunday Zambia coach Herve Renard has since dedicated the outcome to the victims of the plane disaster.

For football fans in England and many across the world it will recall the achievement of Manchester United who went on to achieve European Cup success in 1968 following the Munich air disaster in 1958.

In any case, it is an amazing sporting achievement. But as news sinks in of Zambia's greatest sporting achievement it begs the question why not continue your support for Zambia by helping this poor and trouble-torn country?

According to health and humanitarian agencies the landlocked country of Zambia suffers from high levels of deprivation with the majority of the population struggling to rise above the poverty line... The country is also suffering from an HIV/AIDS epidemic with estimates at around 920,000 Zambians living with HIV and AIDS, almost one in 12 of the population. The country also has a high percentage of orphans related to the HIV/AIDS situation, estimated at about 600,000 children and rising...

As such Zambia desperately needs more support and we are not talking about the football terraces. In terms of sustainable development, especially investment in education and health resources, as well as vital food and water supplies.

Some of the charities working in Zambia include Oxfam whose priority is to reduce HIV/AIDS and help sufferers, as well as providing other development aid including essential services such as food, water and sanitation.

Other charities working in Zambia include Beautiful Gate, a charity that provides care and support to children in need and their families via school and community outreach programmes and foster care programmes... The Butterfly Tree charity is another small charity providing orphan sponsorship programmes and vital health services... International charity SOS Children's Villages is also based in Zambia supporting Aids orphans as well as providing its traditional children's villages which create family-centred care communities...

The combination of issues highlighted by charities operating in Zambia suggests this is a country that deserves some breaks and not just in football penalty shootout terms... Whilst enjoying the razzmatazz of a wonderful sporting occasion and an inspirational victory, let's hope the attention given to Zambia this week on the world stage translates to a continuing underlining of these important humanitarian matters at stake.

The daughter of ex-Beatle Sir Paul, who is also an animal welfare crusader as well as a leading vegetarian, says she does not use any leather in her fashion range. The fashion designer says she is against leather in fashion due to its production methods which can involve terrible cruelty to animals. The popular designer has now made a video for PETA, the animal welfare charity, explaining why...

Leather which has been a mainstay of the fashion industry; especially since the sixties, is often a forgotten by-product of animal cruelty says PETA. The charity is running an awareness campaign against the leather industry which it says often legitimises cruelty through its links to the production of leather via factory farms and slaughterhouses.

The addition of the latest celebrity endorser to the campaign sees respected designer Stella McCartney follow other famous women like Pamela Anderson endorsing PETA's stance against leather.

Stella McCartney's video for PETA aims also to highlight some of the shocking details about leather production which are so often swept under the carpet...

PETA says because skin is the most economically important co-product of meat production, buying leather so often supports factory farming and its often attendant cruelty problems. Leather production involves millions of cows and other animals becoming killed for their skins following often horrible conditions tantamount to torture in many cases...

A large amount of leather comes from developing countries such as India and China, where animal welfare laws are either non-existent or not enforced says PETA.

Castration, tail-docking, branding and de-horning are all regularly carried out in factory farms says PETA; and the charity has detailed other horrible incidences of abuse to animals before they are slaughtered…including in India, an investigation that found workers rubbing chilli peppers in the eyes of animals in order to force them to walk to the abattoir. In some cases animals are skinned alive...

PETA's campaign aims to bring similar awareness to the cruelty associated with wearing fur. Generally more is known about the cruel treatment of animals for fur production, and subsequently fur in fashion is now largely unacceptable by the majority of consumers.

PETA suggests instead of buying leather shoes, belts, bags, jackets, wallets and other leather products it is easy to choose instead from hundreds of styles of non-leather products and still enjoy the same benefits in terms of practicalities as well as fashion stylings...

The actress has also described her experiences with UNHCR in the past as sometimes heart-breaking, but always rewarding.

Despite attempts from some quarters to portray all acts of philanthropy and charity by the rich and famous as somehow motivated by publicity seeking agents, and/or other cynical motives, it is worth noting that in the vast majority of cases these are the efforts of hard working, responsible and committed people.

Often people, as in the case of Ms Jolie, who appear perfectly aware of the responsibilities of their wealth and success and holding positions of public standing, that make them role models for so many others.

The news of Angelina Jolie's on-going commitment to charity follows last year's tribute from the UN refugee agency for her decade of service to humanitarian causes as a UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador. UNHCR also asked Angelina Jolie to take on an even bigger position for the refugee agency as a Special Envoy.

The star also spoke in Geneva in October in 2011 urging the international community to increase its efforts to deal with the crisis in the Horn of Africa.

A UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador since August 2001 Angelina Jolie has conducted dozens of field visits to raise awareness and raise funds to support refugees. The actress famously married to Brad Pitt who's every utterance is a mainstay of the tabloid and increasingly the broadsheet press, started to become involved in humanitarian work when filming the Laura Croft film: Tomb Raider in 2000.

Angelina Jolie has since visited camps and refugee centres in Tanzania, Ecuador and Thailand, amongst others, meeting refugees and helping humanitarian teams...

The actress also benefited from the Citizen of the World Award by the United Nations Correspondents Association in 2003. In 2005 she was also awarded the Global Humanitarian Award by the United Nations Association of the USA and the Business Council for the United Nations, for her work with refugees. She also received the Freedom Award In 2007, from the International Rescue Committee for her support for refugees...

The actress's work, based on her previous record with the UN refugee agency is expected to continue throughout the year.

Sadly the crisis response in the Horn of Africa, which she actively supports, still remains underfunded...

UNICEF is asking for USD 1.28 billion to help vulnerable children and their families in 25 countries and territories as part of this year's appeal...

The announcement from the World Health Organisation suggests that wild polio virus transmission has been halted in India. The last case identified was on January 13, 2011 in the state of West Bengal.

Following further laboratory investigations India could soon be officially deemed to have stopped indigenous transmission of the wild poliovirus. In that case the number of countries regarded as polio-endemic that have never stopped indigenous wild poliovirus transmission will only be three: Afghanistan, Nigeria and Pakistan - an historical low...

The fantastic news for India is also clearly great news for the world that the tide is continuing to turn against one of mankind's most dreadful diseases. And proof that coordinated vaccination and disease prevention programmes when sufficiently resourced can make real progress.

However, the World Health Organisation (WHO) and its partners, including UNICEF, maintain that it's not advisable to be complacent. The partners are working to eradicate polio globally with a highly focused partnership approach tackling polio at local levels in regions where it is prevalent...

The major partners in the Global Polio Eradication Initiative are WHO, UNICEF as well as the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention.

The charity Rotary International is also one of the main non-profits involved in supporting the campaign. Rotary sees its top priority as the global eradication of polio, which in its severe form can be devastating, affecting the nervous system, and can cause respiratory problems, paralysis and even blindness.

International health leaders have also paid tribute to the government of India for its role in polio eradication efforts, channelling substantial resources into vaccination programmes. WHO regards the results as the country's greatest public health achievement.

The polio eradication accomplishments in India will save hundreds of thousands of children from this terrible disease each year and is proof that polio can be eliminated if a coordinated and sufficiently resourced approach is followed...

Despite the inevitable media attention focusing on her personal difficulties and speculation surrounding the reasons for her passing - it is also highly appropriate to pay tribute to the wonderful gift she gave to the world.

Not only in the form of what was quite an extraordinary soulful voice which has drawn plaudits from the greats of the American soul tradition… But also her positive commitments to society.

Growing up in Newark, New Jersey in a church going family Whitney Houston's family background and community helped her develop into the star that she would inevitably become.

The singer developed her extraordinary voice, nurtured by her mother Cissy Houston, a respected gospel singer and performer in her own right, having worked with Aretha Franklin and Elvis Presley amongst other legends of music.

Yesterday a small gathering held a memorial at New Hope Baptist Church in Newark, the church where Whitney Houston developed her powerful singing style under her mother's tuition. Having Dionne Warwick as a cousin and Aretha Franklin as a godmother, added to her rich musical heritage, which she in turn was able to add to her as she rose to stardom in the eighties and nineties.

Houston there in Newark, New Jersey amidst the bosom of her family and her church going community is cited by those that knew her as the place where the values of her positive philanthropy as well as her extraordinary singing talent emerged.

One of the world's best-selling artists, and reputedly the most award-winning music industry artist of the modern era, the singer also took her positive church and gospel upbringing into a dedicated career in philanthropic causes...

Whitney Houston's Foundation for Children charity helped young people with cancer and AIDS, supported education programmes for deprived children as well as many other good causes.

Other positive causes the star was associated with included the Children's Diabetes Foundation, the United Negro College Fund and St Jude Children's Hospital... Her charity supporting record although not widely known is actually one of the most considerable in American showbiz entertainment circles.

Other charities from this soulful, often kind hearted and ultimately very vulnerable woman were the American Red Cross, The Children's Defence Fund, Harlem Boys Choir, Wyclef Jean Foundation although the list is extensive…

She was also a notable anti-apartheid campaigner and toured South Africa donating proceeds to children’s charities.

Despite her struggles with fame, Houston is best remembered as an old school singing diva, a mezzo-soprano who at her best was simply a class act.

An emotionally powerful and authentic singer she was the real deal not reliant on gimmicks, she could sing unaccompanied and move audiences anywhere…she was also someone who's commitment to charity suggests she never forget where she came from and what it all meant...

The CLA Charitable Trust awards grants to promote access to the countryside for youngsters and other disadvantaged groups. The first donation will be given to help young people from inner city schools enjoy a holiday at Wick Court, one of the Morpurgo charity's working farms.

Wick Court in Gloucestershire is one of three farms operated by Farms for City Children which was founded by War Horse author Michael Morpurgo and includes HRH the Princess Royal, Princess Anne as a patron.

The farm allows people who do not normally have access to the pleasures of the country environment to benefit from the great outdoors and witness piglets, goats, ewes and lambs and other farm animals as well as experience traditional farming activities.

Michael Morpurgo recently became known to a wider audience following the film version of War Horse. The Stephen Spielberg film War Horse, based on the children's novel by Michael Morpurgo, has been impressing cinema audiences since it was released around the New Year.

War Horse is still stunning cinema audiences now and has received two Golden Globe nominations, six Oscar nominations, and five Bafta nominations…

The first cheque was handed over this week to the author's charity which provides working holidays on its three farms to youngsters from urban backgrounds across the UK. For many it is their first experience of the countryside and their first opportunity to get close to farm animals.

The £10,000 a year donation agreement by the CLA Charitable Trust will be used to fund three separate week long stays for more than 100 children. The charity's centres are in stunning sites in Devon, Gloucestershire and Pembrokeshire. The money will also be targeted at providing farm breaks for youngsters with disabilities.

As well as providing an uplifting experience which can be utterly inspiring for those who have not experienced it before, such working holidays can teach all manner of life skills as well practical education about the workings of agriculture and the food chain...

On the working holidays kids get to do all the farm jobs from milking cattle and feeding sheep and pigs to mucking out the horses and even pressing apples... Importantly no games consoles and televisions are allowed so youngsters learn about real interactions, and practically inspiring physical activities...

Author Michael Morpurgo and his wife Clare founded Farms for City Children in 1976 at Nethercott in Devon. Founding President was the late Poet Laureate, Ted Hughes…

The New York born performing artist who grew up in tough conditions himself in Queens achieved stardom with the release of his Get Rich or Die Tryin’ album in 2003 which is recognised as a classic of the genre…

As well as being one of the world's most successful rap musicians 50 cent has developed into an energetic advocate for the fight against hunger which has received praise from the WFP.

After seeing the 2011 drought and famine in the Horn of Africa, 50 Cent made a commitment to raise money to pay for one billion meals for hungry children over the next five years...

The WFP has celebrated the passionate way the artist has continued to support that campaign against hunger in press and TV interviews and on social media. The star has appeared on the Piers Morgan show, CNN International and The Rachel Ray Show with his campaign.

The World Food Programme says 50 Cent’s goal of raising one billion meals for hungry children will support learning at school and improve life opportunities. In order to achieve his goal the star launched his energy shot: Street King which donates to the WFP feed a hungry child campaign...

Learning more in Somalia and Kenya the rapper has reaffirmed his determination to help WFP fight hunger in the region. Jackson visited Dolow in Somalia's southern border region on Wednesday where thousands of women and children are fleeing from drought. On Thursday, Jackson visited a school in a Nairobi slum where he met children, many of them orphans.

WFP provides nourishing meals and snacks to improve concentration in school and to encourage families to enrol and keep their children in education. The humanitarian organisation is the world's largest fighting hunger across the world, feeding more than 90 million people in over 70 countries...

The charity's ensemble will appear on Valentine's Day at the festival at the Villa Arcadia in Johannesburg.

Buskaid operates a Music School in Diepkloof, Soweto, South Africa where young people learn string instruments - viola, violin, cello and double bass. The Music School currently has 100 students and 12 teachers. The charity is also supporting three students at the Royal Academy of Music in London...

Buskaid was founded in 1992 by British viola player Rosemary Nalden after she heard of the difficulties facing a group of young string players in Diepkloof, Soweto. Subsequently the charity has produced an award-winning ensemble that regularly tours to international audiences.

The Buskaid Soweto String Ensemble has performed at famous stages such as the BBC Proms at the Royal Albert Hall in London, and has released a number of well received CD recordings.

The forthcoming appearance by the Buskaid ensemble can be seen at the 4th Johannesburg International Mozart Festival (JIMF) on Tuesday February 14 at 7.30pm.

Buskaid founder Rosemary Nelson explains: "We have been working very hard indeed for this, with intensive weekend rehearsals and weekday sectional rehearsals. It should be a great concert. 

"We are playing music by the 18th century French composer Chevalier St George, who was the son of a black slave and a French nobleman, and was known as the black Mozart....

"As it is Valentine's Day there will be some classic pop songs, like Fever and Send in the Clowns..."

The St Valentine's Day concert for the Johannesburg International Mozart Festival is part of the gala of music which is running until February 19, 2012 in Johannesburg, with the main symphony concerts and recitals being held at UJ Theatre and Linder Auditorium.

Classical music for many people is a source of huge pleasure and can be a force of joy that is utterly life transforming, and in the case of BuskAid which provides young people with such an opportunity to develop new skills and experiences it contributes so much more.

The charity has a proven track record of helping young people escape poverty and in some cases drugs and crime to build a whole range of life skills. Let’s hope it continues its work for many years and continues helping young people to achieve so much through music...

The charity is hosting the Alexandra Reinhardt Memorial Award (ARMA) until 2013, worth £10,000 this year. The project is in memory of Alexandra Reinhardt, the deaf artist who died in 2004 following illness with a rare blood disorder. The award provides funds for a 12 week artist-in-residence project culminating in the creation of a public art installation.

The 2012 ARMA winning artist will run 12 full day workshops held weekly, working with children aged seven to eleven. The residency will be from April to July.

The artist is expected to produce a finished artwork for permanent public display at the Robert Blair School in London. For 2012 the organisers are looking for a 3D installation for the school.

The Art Room uses art to provide therapy for children and young people facing challenges and has reported some fantastic results. The Kate Middleton charity now works with over 12 schools, providing art therapy to hundreds of children each week.

Art works have been shown to enliven an environment, generate healing and create interest and inspiration…

In fact, there is a longstanding connection between art and healing recognised by the ancient Greeks and in Britain the introduction of art into hospital environments was introduced for this purpose during the Victorian period.

This trend which aims to create a more beneficial environment for recovery and recuperation has also been continued in recent times via the ARMA award that has previously been run in NHS hospitals around the country in conjunction with the charity, Paintings in Hospitals.

The charity Paintings in Hospitals has recently benefited from a partnership with the Arts Council Collection to introduce works from its collection into healthcare facilities.

Works by contemporary artists including Catherine Yass, Joe Tilson, Ian Hamilton-Finlay and Helen Chadwick will soon be made available...

The benefits of such projects are not just based on intuitive and anecdotal evidence but backed up by research which includes the 2007 Department of Health and Arts Council England publication: A Prospectus for Arts and Health, that acknowledged the arts have an important role in improving health and wellbeing...

Zambia's progression to the final by beating Ghana is the latest notice of the theatre it offers to fans across the world, and is also a reminder for a continent that anything is possible. Zambia the only nation left in the Africa Cup of Nations originating from Southern Africa, beat Ghana, recognised by many as one of the pre-eminent African teams to beat...

Zambia's players will now enter the Stade d'Angondjé in Libreville, Gabon with the dreams of a nation on their shoulders as they hope to continue their journey to success and be crowned African champions of a sport which continues to enthral a continent like no other and offer endless entertainment and escapism…

This year's 2012 Africa Cup of Nations finals are being co-hosted by Gabon and Equatorial Guinea... In the final Zambia will face a formidable Ivory Coast team (the Elephants), the tournament favourites, featuring Chelsea star Didier Drogba along with other genuine international superstars Salomon Kalou, Yaya and Kolo Toure, Gervinho and Didier Zokora...

But anything is possible…

Zambia, a small nation of 12 million people and one of the more urbanised countries in the region like many African nations however suffers from a number of serious challenges.

A high burden of preventable diseases ensures life expectancy in Zambia is well below that of western standards and somewhere in the region of 70 per cent of people according to the World Health Organisation live in poverty... There are also increasing demands on health staff due to the nation's HIV/AIDS epidemic which is one of the worst in the world…
It’s a reminder of a picture of food insecurity and health challenges that is repeated across other African countries that desperately need resolving…

While Zambia and other African nations remain amongst the least developed in the world - meanwhile the development of the African football cup of nations has grown in the last decade into a truly amazing sporting festival, attracting increasing worldwide interest as the quality and talents of African football has matured... It is only a matter of time before an African nation becomes a world champion...

However, many observers around the world are hoping the spotlight on Africa will remain after the final on Sunday but shift away from football and continue to focus on solutions for the aforementioned health and social challenges that face the continent.

When given the opportunity to talk about such subjects the passion and intelligence which many African footballers bring is inspiring. Many African players attract a worldwide audience due to their association with leading clubs in Europe and elsewhere...

On the eve of the 2012 African Cup of Nations, more than 25 footballers including Seydou Keita (Mali), Charles Kaboré (Burkina Faso), Demba Bâ (Sénégal) and Lawali Idrissa (Niger) have spoken out in solidarity with millions of people facing hunger and health challenges.

Many players have been calling on governments and the international community to show that along with the football equal interest in helping people across Africa is high on the agenda, especially in the Sahel region at the moment, which is facing a serious food crisis.

Oxfam's appeal which has been supported by a group of African players is hoping to reach hundreds of thousands of people urgently with humanitarian aid across Burkina Faso, Chad, Mauritania, Mali and Niger...

Footballers from these national teams prior to the competition were supporting international agency Oxfam and its partner orgs in its appeals to the international community to come together and keep focused on the real important issues of Africa...

The appeals for Africa from players including Barcelona star Seydou Keita come as international agencies currently struggle to keep African hunger and other development issues in the spotlight.

Hopefully if more players, government and media speak out about tackling the real important issues at stake, then the contest against poverty and hunger will one day finally be won… And then all Africans will have something truly important to rejoice about…

There are a number of ways you can give to charity, either by making a donation to a local community charity doing some good in your area, or by donating to national charities specialising in humanitarian, health, social or other causes...

And it's never been easier to start making a pledge to charity giving especially at Xperedon.com, the web based platform where you can almost effortlessly give to a selection of charities on a regular monthly basis...

Some of the great features of the Xperedon online charity donation system include: 1 - Create a Group - share the charities you support and have your friends and loved ones help them too. 2 - Create a Monthly Giving Plan - and share your donation between up to 20 charities in the same account. 3 – FairGiving – Empower and involve employees by enabling them to vote on where company donations go…

But perhaps for the most perfect charity gift for Valentine’s Day, why not try a Giving Gift? With Xperedon’s Giving Gifts feature you can donate an amount to your Valentine and let them decide which charities the donation should go to.

Of course there are other ways of supporting charity as a Valentine’s gift idea. You may also want to support charity by buying a practical item or fashion charity gift for your beloved…

Charities are increasingly offering great gift collections with a number of clothing choices, chocolates, trinkets and all kinds of other ideas including adoption schemes for animals and long-term support for humanitarian, relief and sustainable development causes.

There are lots of quirky options available too as well as traditional gifts if you are looking for something a bit different…

Why not adopt a demining rat from APOPO for humanitarian work in Mozambique or a goat in Malawi from Oxfam, for instance? What better way could there be to show your boyfriend, girlfriend, husband, wife or partner that you really do care?

And not just about them but about others too…

And there are many other alternative charity activities you can get involved in for Valentine's Day.

If your significant other likes animals why not help out at your local animal sanctuary or better still if you have the time and resources adopt a pet that has been abandoned that needs a loving home...

With increasing cold weather coming to the UK and across Europe and elsewhere, other volunteering options could be a great Valentine's Day gift to someone in need. Why not consider for instance, helping out with local elderly charities?

What more generous thing could there be than making a promise with a loved one to help people in the community keep warm and be cared for during the current cold snap?

Of course these are just humble ideas and you may prefer a more extravagant one… A Salvation Army auction with proceeds going to the charity…of a unique diamond estimated to be 100-years-old that was left in a Salvation Army kettle springs to mind.

Along with your loved one you could also set up your own charity auction for Valentine's Day and donate the proceeds to your favourite causes...

Or simply make a shared commitment to donate to your favourite charity over the long-term with Xperedon?

The listing forms part of Greenpeace's campaign, the Cool IT Challenge, that wants to see the IT sector embrace positive change in the form of clean energy solutions... The IT Challenge follows 2008's Climate Group and the Global e-Sustainability Initiative (GeSI) report, SMART 2020: that identifies clean energy responsibilities for the IT sector including renewable energy targets.

Greenpeace recognises that technology companies have an enormous influence when it comes to decisions on renewable energy and credited Google for its tangible commitment in terms of investment rather than just rhetoric.

As a whole though Greenpeace believes the IT sector must do more on renewables to cement its credentials as a forward thinking industry and is pressing companies to take up the banner of climate change responsibility more thoroughly.

Other companies that stood out for praise, included Cisco and Dell also for sourcing over 20 per cent renewable energy globally. Other companies on the list which highlights clean energy progress include telecommunications companies: AT&T, Telefónica, Vodafone, Softbank, Alcatel-Lucent and NTT.

A surprise omission for some maybe was that Apple was not included because its efforts did not meet the Leaderboard criteria and while Facebook was similarly not included Google has announced the social media giant will be included in next year's Cool List Leaderboard, due its recent commitments to renewables...

Greenpeace and Facebook recently announced a collaboration on renewable energy, including a campaign to ask major utilities to develop renewable energy generation.

Greenpeace looks set to continue its campaign that promotes those tech and IT companies that are making a genuine commitment to promoting positive environmental action...

Already there is a clamour and excitement about the availability of tickets which are obtainable via a ballot.

These Diamond Ticket invitations will be allocated to the public, along with a number of people from a selection of nominated charities who will receive invitations to the concert.

A newly set up Thames Diamond Jubilee Foundation also promises to raise funds for charitable projects that have a link to The Queen and her Diamond Jubilee, with a focus on Commonwealth, youth and education causes, as well as supporting the wider charitable sector.

The Queen's Diamond Jubilee Concert on Monday June 4 at Buckingham Palace is intended to be a celebration of The Queen's 60-year reign and will be attended by The Queen, The Duke of Edinburgh and others from the royal household.

Staged by the Queen Victoria Memorial in front of Buckingham Palace, the BBC and Gary Barlow of Take That fame have brought together leading talent from the world of music for this one off event...

Also appearing are Shirley Bassey, Alfie Boe, Jools Holland, Jessie J, JLS, Lang Lang, Madness and Ed Sheeran with other big names to be announced too...

But despite the excitement many commentators especially fans of the group Queen are wondering if the event can surpass the appearance of Queen guitarist Brian May at the Golden Jubilee celebrations ten years ago. In what was an incredible show-stopper the virtuoso guitarist performed God Save The Queen from the top of Buckingham Palace in a highlight which recalled Queen's widely acknowledged lead performance at Live Aid some years earlier...

However, the Diamond Jubilee organisers are going all out to create an impact with the unique concert stage designed by architect Mark Fisher, plus the spectacular location and promised visual displays.

Also the appearance of some of the greatest performers in the history of popular music, especially Elton John and Paul McCartney is adding power to the mojo of this year's organisers.

The concert will be shown live on BBC television and broadcast on BBC Radio 2 in the UK and to millions around the world. Viewers in the US can watch exclusive highlights on ABC the next day...

FutureYou is a resource helping youngsters access work, training or education. The charity trains volunteers to support excluded and vulnerable young people who right now are in increasing need of a helping hand...

Currently over one million young people in the UK are looking for employment, education and/or training.

FutureYou is launching its latest training dates at its London offices. The initiative utilises pioneering social networking technology, as well as a therapeutic framework, to engage with young people who are trying to get their lives moving forward in the right direction. The unique voluntary positions offer volunteers the opportunity to share their experience and training from the comfort of a safe online social networking model.

The charity is also inviting other organisations to get involved to host its LifeMentors training events across the country and promises more regional training in future for those outside London.

The next series of London training events are taking place in the non-profit’s Crystal Palace offices from Friday February 24 to Saturday 26 May.

FutureYou recently received a boost from the UK government which announced £1.3 million from its Social Action Fund for Beatbullying initiatives to tackle social issues digitally.

We're Altogether Better funds are being invested in services like FutureYou, as well as CyberMentors and MiniMentors, Beatbullying's other innovations.

What's great about the FutureYou LifeMentor volunteer positions is that they are open to all sections of the community, and as well as helping others they also benefit participants who can make a contribution to society and gain vital new skills themselves.

The FutureYou programme's speciality is providing mentoring for 14 to 25 year olds. Research and feedback suggests that with youngsters increasingly connecting online via social media for information and advice,

FutureYou provides a vital resource that makes a difference to their lives as well as the volunteers that provide a vital service to help them...

Established in 1990, the charity offers a flavour of how philanthropic and respectful Islamic values have been incorporated into Britain's multi-cultural and multi faith society... and seeks to open up dialogue in society across different faiths and traditions.

The charity says it especially seeks to open dialogue with Muslims about understanding their faith in a British context.

The Islamic Society of Britain has announced Islam awareness week from March 12 to 18 will have the theme of love...

The charity initiated Islam awareness week in 1994, to raise awareness and remove misconceptions surrounding Britain's second largest faith group.

The charity presents Islam awareness week as an opportunity for all people to come together and address the dangers posed by such misunderstandings. During the week ISB encourages communities to volunteer their time to organise events celebrating dialogue, as well as promoting arts and culture. The charity believes that such events are vital to support good community relations.

Muslims contribute enormously to the economic and cultural fabric of Britain and also make substantial commitments to charity and voluntary work the year round as they do throughout the world.

The charity Islamic Society of Britain has been involved, for instance, in practical campaigns including helping homeless people with essential support and supplies. As such it is typical of the philanthropic efforts of millions of Muslims all around the world especially at times of the calendar such as Ramadan, a major focus at this time being a pledge of support for others and for charity giving.

Charities such as Muslim Aid, for instance, are also heavily involved in ongoing humanitarian and sustainable development projects around the world, including providing emergency shelter, health services and other humanitarian services...

The Islamic Society of Britain however, says it aims to be very much a community based charity encouraging British Muslim volunteers, from a wide variety of backgrounds, to take part in projects offering support for local communities.

A latest study from the Chronicle of Philanthropy confirms the trend that's becoming ever more clearer that the super-rich multi-millionaires and billionaires of this world are becoming increasingly philanthropic, whether it's through their charitable foundations, substantial one off or regular donations or legacy donations via the estates of their wills. Some of the figures talked about are quite astronomical, and they are getting bigger.

The Chronicle's report suggests the top 50 donors in America alone made pledges in 2011 to a tune of $10.4 billion... a substantial increase from $3.3 billion the previous year...

Why is it occurring? What does it mean? What will it achieve?

One of the obvious factors is that the rich are becoming greater in number and more affluent. This trend in philanthropy growth may partly be explained by supply and demand. With the development of the global economy and the consolidation of markets across huge swathes of the planet, those business leaders operating at the top of the pyramid in areas such as the financial sector, property, science and technology and other key industries have benefited from enormous wealth generation from bigger salaries and funds accrued from investments.

There is also a seemingly bottomless pit that needs to be filled with resources to help those millions of people in the world affected by severe poverty and a lack of access to even basics like nutrition and health services... We are talking about inequality and a failure of governments and social systems on a massive scale in many parts of the world, often exacerbated by climactic and environmental conditions as well as greed, exploitation and warfare.

That combined with the global media attention from 24 hour news channels, Internet and social media campaigns given to social causes means that the issue of philanthropy and social responsibility is increasingly the focus of our attention.

The evidence suggest that after the gold rush years of the noughties that those that have wealth are becoming increasingly interested in the idea of social responsibility and are looking for solutions that are not tied in solely with taxation and the state...

And it's not just the super-rich, as the record breaking appeals of recent years suggests there is an increasing appetite from all levels of society to be generous with their private wealth right now, as well as their time and resources via volunteering like never before.

These social issues are back on the agenda as evidenced by reports from many charities of buoyant contribution levels and renewed interest from volunteers…

Where will it all end?

The will is there and increasingly from those that have the resources to make a significant difference.

While charities and especially those focused on international aid continue to be under increasing scrutiny to be accountable and that is a good thing, people also need to be more accountable and think about their shared responsibilities, and how building a better world is in reach if we only just start to believe in it...

The stakes are higher and the demands are higher and everyone needs to step up to the plate…

If the goodwill that exists at all levels of society could be channelled in the right way surely the sky is the limit?

Currently not just a lot of cash but the leadership also is coming from America... That leadership is welcome.

Bill Gates springs to mind as someone who is becoming an increasingly powerful voice advocating the need to create effective systems of philanthropy that maximise the impact of the generosity of the donations involved.

That advocation of a shared partnership approach to philanthropy across the public, private and government sector, focusing on priority issues and very clear, achievable goals is very welcome... If properly managed perhaps a new era of philanthropy is beckoning that finally has the power to rescue the lives of millions of those in the most desperate need and build a better future for our planet.

This means the registration of charities can get underway and will include a pilot registration phase involving twenty local organisations. 

While it was originally planned that charity registration would begin at the end of June 2010, the result of a public consultation and legal advice on the definition of a charity meant the Commission referred the legislation back to the Department for Social Development.

The CCNI role includes investigatory, compliance, enforcement and regulatory scrutiny of all charities currently registered with HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) for tax purposes and will bring charities in Northern Ireland in line with the rest of the British Isles.

The development of the CCNI will mean regulation of a large part of Northern Ireland's charitable sector which is estimated to have up to 10,000 charities and non-profits in operation. Previously the governance and practices of charities has been overseen by central government but with no formal registration.

The registration process will begin with a public consultation expected to happen as soon as the legislation is passed by the NI Assembly, likely to be in early 2013.

After almost two years of enforced delay, the Commission has expressed its delight to finally get the ball rolling on registration. 

The CCNI has been busy though and recently published its One Hundred Lessons to be Learned based on its initial investigations of charities. The report outlines the Charity Commission's regulatory approach and also describes the public's priority requirements for charities in Northern Ireland. These include a focus on effective governance and financial control as well as improved transparency from charities.

The CCNI says a dynamic and well governed charities sector is its ultimate priority, and one in which the public can have the best possible confidence in the work of charities in Northern Ireland…

The grants are available for disadvantaged and excluded communities around the UK, including in the North East and Merseyside... and are open to small charities and non-profits that may or may not have received funding before... Closing date for receipt of completed applications for Sport Relief 2012 Community Cash Grants is March 9, 2012.

The invitation has been issued to small community organisations in disadvantaged areas that can show understanding of the needs of their communities and an ability to carry out positive action...

Sport Relief's programme offers grants this year to eligible organisations with an income of less than £100,000 in the last financial year. The initiative acknowledges sports charity activities and other community participation based events that can enliven a community and make it a better place to be. Groups which have been established for less than 12 months are eligible and especially family activities, sporting groups, community festivals and cross generational groups...

Meanwhile fundraising events are already well underway for Sport Relief 2012 which includes the Sainsbury's Sport Relief Mile on Sunday March 25, open to all and being promoted by a number of celebrities including football legend Gary Lineker.

The centrepiece event for the Sport Relief charity campaign is promising to be the biggest ever this year as part of Olympics year with over 600 Sport Relief Mile events already set up and ready to invite the public for one, three or six mile challenges...

All money raised by Sport Relief 2012 will help people in need in the UK and across the world... including projects helping refugees and asylum seeking women, and vulnerable street children in Nepal…

The main fundraising days are from Friday March 23 to Sunday March 25.

These include Commissioners' duties to be amended to involve patients and carers in their own care to better reflect the principle of patient centred care, and for commissioning bodies to conduct their business more transparently.

The changes will allow greater accountability and allow those affected by mental illness the opportunities they need to shape the NHS services they use.

Rethink Mental Illness has also welcomed a recent speech by MP Andy Burnham on mental health which advocated that mental health should step out of the shadows and become more central in NHS strategy.

The charity Rethink has also long advocated better training and accountability for health professionals to help patients with mental health issues, that in many cases can be complex to diagnose and treat...

Mark Davies, Director of Communications at Rethink Mental Illness, explains:

"Our research shows that many GPs find it hard to engage with people affected by mental illness, and they feel that they need more knowledge of specialist mental health services.

"This is very concerning, given that the Government's Health and Social Care Bill is giving GPs a great deal of control over commissioning mental health services. Last year we surveyed 500 GPs, and over half said they found people with severe mental illness hardest to engage with, while more than four in ten (42 per cent) said they lacked knowledge about specialist services for people with severe mental health problems. Over a third of GPs said they did not feel equipped to commission mental health services.

"We want to see better training and support for GPs, who will soon become responsible for commissioning complex mental health services, despite many admitting that they have little understanding of what’s available."

Rethink says that a more integrated and better equipped mental health system in the NHS is vital to provide empowerment for the long-term health of the nation.

Improvement to mental health services could also save the NHS millions in the long-term if effective treatment was available at an early stage... The charity says that families would feel supported and able to get on with their lives instead of feeling marginalised.

Rethink along with partner charity Mind is also calling for an end to discrimination and prejudice against mental health sufferers at all levels of society, as part of its Time to Change campaign that is supporting community led schemes and national strategies that challenge prejudice and develop positive support systems.

The growing charity campaign is further evidence of the vital role that charities can and often do play in improving services in the area of public health...

The UK micro-finance charity is a member of the global Opportunity International Network, which provides finance and training to the working poor in developing countries.

The charity's fundraiser which was initially a Christmas appeal is continuing to raise funds and hopes to give even more poor people a working chance in southern Malawi to develop their own futures, and has been extended until February 21...

All donations to the appeal will be doubled until February 21, 2012... The UK government's Aid Match funding scheme matches individual donations pound for pound for selected charity appeals.

Money raised for Opportunity International's project is providing basic financial services to people in rural areas of Malawi. This includes bank accounts and microloans. This is a proven strategy that builds sustainable development, enabling entrepreneurs to start small businesses to support their families and power local economies. The charity highlights the Nsanje region as one of the poorest areas of Malawi in need of investment with 87 per cent of the population there without access to basic banking services.

The charity provides financial services such as loans as well as business training to over 1.9 million people and these are mainly women (84 per cent) in 24 developing countries. Women have been proven to be effective small business entrepreneurs with a clear focus on supporting their families. The charity also provides micro insurance policies to over one million people.

Opportunity International concentrates on sustainable development by generating and advancing funds to help set up and support its partner micro-finance organisations, working to support those in need of help with education on business development and awareness of how micro-finance can help them support themselves.

The Opportunity International appeal is the only current Aid Match appeal in operation. UK Aid Match's other most recent appeal was for the charity Sightsavers and was supported by the Financial Times over Christmas.

This appeal for the international charity aided treatment to improve or restore sight in developing countries. The Sightsavers Aid Match appeal also benefited from match funding from Standard Chartered, meaning that for every £1 given, the charity received £3 - tripling the impact of any donations. From its range of sources, the appeal raised £3.34 million - a record for an FT sponsored charity appeal... 

The world famous animal sanctuary has said thanks to one of the world's best-loved writers for helping them to get their organisation up and running over 150 years ago. When the then small Victorian dogs sanctuary was struggling to survive, it benefitted from Dickens' intervention...

Dickens became one of the sanctuary's most influential supporters when he highlighted the work of the small dogs home when it was initially based in Holloway, North London.

The sanctuary was set up by Mary Tealby, who has been described as someone of limited financial means, who used an old stable in Holloway to house Victorian street dogs in 1860 after she initially found an abandoned puppy on the streets of London.

The Temporary Home For Lost and Starving Dogs as it was known, later expanded onto its present site in Battersea, South London. It was in the early 1860s when Battersea Dogs & Cats Home as it is now known was just starting out and was struggling to survive that Dickens' recognition of its work became so influential...

In 1862 Dickens wrote an article entitled Two Dog Shows in the magazine All The Year Round in which he compared a pedigree dog show in Islington with the more pitiful dog show on display at the small animal centre in Holloway.

The animal sanctuary has since attributed the impact of the article as a significant event in its development into what it has become today, very much changing public opinion at the time in favour of welfare towards the stray animals which were largely ignored and unloved back then.

Reminding us of his way with words, Dickens described the dogs on display at the small charity as the "Lost Dogs of the Metropolis" and the sight of "poor vagrant homeless curs that one sees looking out for a dinner in the gutter or curled up in a doorway taking refuge from their troubles in sleep..."

Dickens was of course an avid dog lover who kept many dogs throughout his life and included some famous depictions of dogs in his literary works.

Who could forget Bullseye in Oliver Twist, Bill Sykes' companion who eventually turns on the villain and leads the mob to the scene of his ultimate terrible crime, or by contrast Jip the attention-seeking pet from David Copperfield?

The home had been open for around 18 months when it was visited by Charles Dickens, but to the credit of Mary Tealby had already taken in around 1,000 starving dogs...

Dickens was fascinated by the animal centre, its staff and the residents of what was the only rescue home of its kind in London and wrote movingly in the article of how they prioritised dog welfare in a time when no one else would. Dickens also paid tribute in the article to the compassionate treatment and the extent of the medical care afforded to the animals...

Battersea says the article led the home, which later began to care for cats too, to grow in both size and popularity and allowed it to move to its current location in Battersea in 1871.

Dickens' role is only part of the story of course of what Battersea has become but is definitely part of the legacy of the charity that reflects the high esteem it is held in today.

In 1895 the home welcomed 36,873 visitors. In 2010, this already substantial number had increased to 76,823.

By the time of Charles Dickens' bi-centenary year in 2012 Battersea has now been involved in the rehoming of more than 3.1 million dogs and cats over its impressive 151 year history... Dickens would have been proud...

And for certain people from all kinds of backgrounds there is a, shall we say, a certain gooey quality to a panda...

For whatever the reasons for their attraction a trip to the zoo to see Edinburgh's pandas has been proving quite a hit with the public, but now especially for Valentine's Day this year, which has almost run out of viewing tickets to see the pandas.

Scotland's first giant pandas arrived in Edinburgh on Sunday December 4 last year and went on show on Friday December 16, Tian Tian (Sweetie) and Yang Guang (Sunshine) proving an instant success with the public.
The pair quickly settled into their new environment, scoffing through almost 50kg of bamboo each day while relaxing in their new state-of-the-art enclosures.

Visitor numbers for the zoo, a registered charity, have since soared, breaking records. Since they went on display approximately 70,000 visitors have seen the animals, the zoo experiencing a 200 per cent increase on visitor numbers compared to the same period in 2010.

The pair of pandas also appear to be especially in demand for Valentine's Day this year and the zoo, a charity run by The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS), is expecting bumper attendances on Valentine's Day on February 14... Virtually all panda ticket times are booked up for Valentine's Day already says the charity.

However, the RZSS says there will still be a few limited walk up tickets available on the day on a first come first served basis but panda lovers will have to be quick to grab the last tickets.

To celebrate Valentine's on Saturday February 11 and Sunday February 12 visitors to Edinburgh Zoo are also being given an opportunity to make a Valentine's Day card for their favourite animal. However, the charity says that with over 1,000 animals to choose from, from giant anteater to Asian lion and Grevy's zebra somehow based on recent experiences it firmly expects Tian Tian and Yang Guang will get a fair share of cards...

Also on Valentine's Day itself, February 14, visitors have the chance to paint their own ceramic love bear. The zoo says for a small additional cost, visitors can paint their loved one a personalised little ceramic bear...

There's a serious side to expressing your love for the pandas though... The arrival of the giant pandas in Edinburgh is supporting giant panda conservation for what is one of the world's most endangered species.

The RZSS is working closely with the China Wildlife Conservation Association (CWCA), and the China Conservation and Research Centre for the Giant Panda in Sichuan Province in its support for the pandas, including research into their habits and development…and it is hoped Tian Tian and Yang Guang will eventually become a breeding pair whilst in Edinburgh. 

John Walker & Sons is honouring the Queen's Diamond Jubilee - which is the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the Queen's accession to the throne - by bottling a unique Diamond Jubilee whisky brand.

A total of 60 editions of Diamond Jubilee whisky by the historic maker will be released for sale at £100,000, with donations going to the Queen's charity, QEST, which honours fine craftsmanship and craftswomanship.

Johnnie Walker is promising a minimum donation of £1 million from the sales of Diamond Jubilee for the Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust (QEST), a registered charity in England which promotes craftsmanship via scholarships as symbolised by the Queen’s Royal Warrant of Appointment.

The donations offer also comes in the year the QEST charity launches its Diamond Jubilee appeal. The QEST charity makes awards ranging up to £15,000 to men and women of all ages to help them further their careers in traditional crafts professions.

Since 1991 the trust has awarded £1.5 million to 242 craftspersons for study, training and work experience. Building on the profile of Diamond Jubilee year the charity aims to double the number of scholarships it gives annually and provide the additional services of mentoring and long-term work placements, and is hoping to raise £2 million in extra funds to assist its plans…

John Walker & Sons has celebrated the anniversary of the accession to the throne (February 6) with the bottling of the Diamond Jubilee Scotch 60 years to the day. What's more the rare blend was distilled in and has been maturing since 1952, the year the Queen acceded to the throne.

Accompanying the whisky are bespoke pieces produced by more than 60 fine artisans, including fellow Royal Warrant Holders and QEST Scholars.

The extravagant pieces are housed in a fine chest incorporating oak from the Queen's Sandringham Estate to echo the whisky marrying casks and Caledonian pine from The Queen's Balmoral Estate.

Some of the skills training supported by the QEST charity in recent years include: icon painter and manuscript illuminator, musical instrument maker, cabinet maker and engraver, upholsterer, embroiderer - just a sample of the many fine heritage skills supported by the charity which continue to be in demand today...

The donation from the famous distiller looks set to help support similar fine craftsworkers for the future.

The charity foundation benefited from singer Garth Brooks offering a helping hand along with Jim McMahon, former Chicago Bears, quarterback and Joe DeLamielleur, NFL Hall of Famer and Buffalo Bills offensive guard. Others at the event included Matt Forte from the Chicago Bears, Tommie Harris from the San Diego Chargers, Mike Gaines, formerly with Houston Texans. Other celebrities involved were Heather Whitestone - former Miss America (1995) and Canadian singer, Justin Hines.

The Super Bowl week hearing event included fitting state-of-the-art hearing aids along with testing, batteries, counselling and instructions on follow-up care for the hearing impaired.

The Starkey Hearing Foundation's Super Bowl Hearing Mission just one of dozens of missions conducted each year in the USA and internationally by the charity. A total of 235 hearing impaired children and adults from the Indianapolis area ranging in age from three to 92 benefited from the treatment just in time for the Super Bowl celebrations.

The Starkey Hearing Foundation says it aims to distribute one million hearing aids by 2020 as part of its mission to help the world hear. According to the charity, an estimated 63 million children worldwide suffer from hearing loss and in the USA 34 million Americans, or one in ten, live with hearing loss or a hearing disability.

In addition to giving the gift of hearing through its hearing missions, the charity promotes hearing health awareness through the Listen Carefully initiative and provides hearing support to low-income Americans through the Hear Now programme.

The charity that is sustained by the efforts of thousands of volunteers and donors around the world says hearing loss affects millions worldwide yet many do not have access to the hearing instruments that can help them. From 2000 to 2010 Starkey Hearing Foundation fitted more than 500,000 hearing aids to people in need.

The Foundation has grown that commitment to more than 100,000 hearing aids annually, and is seeking to provide the gift of hearing to everyone who is deprived of this simple but important act of the senses that most people take for granted...

On the occasion of his 200th birthday today (Feb 7, 2012) the Prince of Wales, Prince Charles will lay a wreath at the author's grave in Poets' Corner in London as part of a service at Westminster Abbey.

A 24-hour readathon will also take place in countries around the world, celebrating one of the English language's most enduring authors who gave us so many delightful characters, titles, ideas and emotions to mull over.

However, many people will simply pay tribute today by recalling their favourite Dickens moment whether it be in Great Expectations, Hard Times or Oliver Twist or in lesser known works: The Cricket on the Hearth...

What would your favourite Dickens passage, scene or quotation be? The transformation of Scrooge into a benefactor and philanthropist would surely be up there?

"He became as good a friend... and as good a man, as the good old city knew..."

After his spectral visits in A Christmas Carol Dickens character Scrooge talks of his joy of dedication to good works at the latter stage of his life.

What is the legacy of Dickens in the enduring popularity of his works, whether they are on the stage in Lionel Bart's popular musical Oliver, or via the many powerful film adaptations which attract the best and most dynamic actors of their day from Patrick Stewart to Alec Guinness to Ben Kingsley and others?

Dickens of course was an active supporter of charity, a president of the news trade charity NewstrAid founded in 1839 to help poor newspaper sellers in London. He was also instrumental in supporting the Hospital for Sick Children at Great Ormond Street that opened in February 1852, two charities which continue today in their modern guises.

His legacy? His legacy was that he cared about others. That is clear from his writings. He found life endlessly fascinating, engaging and colourful and presented it often warts and all in the form of his books. He was moved by poverty and social inequality and sought social reform in the education system and via social welfare systems. He did all this in a humble, unpatronising and uplifting way, representing many other influential figures and philanthropists of the Victorian age...

Of course many today will recall the famous comment from Dickens: Charity begins at home, and justice begins next door. What did he mean?

It's open to interpretation. But in light of his works it is clear that he believed in a responsibility to help and support communities in need and especially those who are vulnerable, sick or deprived through no fault of their own...

Doing the right thing and developing compassion and practical assistance runs through his novels. There is a theme of giving people a lift up and empowering them to do the rest. And especially those most in need.

He should be remembered for that as well as of course his unique creative genius for character, plots and detail that mark him out still as one of the most thoughtful, powerful and entertaining writers of his age.

The inaugural event which led to approximately 1,000 Sydneysiders receiving a tasty meal from an open air fry-up, was also raising awareness about issues such as food insecurity, homelessness and the need to conserve food resources.

The event which took place at Cathedral Square in the centre of Sydney saw a collection of business leaders and celebrity chefs sizzle a series of delicacies for Sydneysiders.

Long white tables lined up for the occasion which involved chefs including Peter Gilmore, Bill Granger, Guillaume Brahimi and Maggie Beer. Australian rocker Jimmy Barnes also performed at the event.

The CookOff has already raised more than $900,000 to support the charity OzHarvest and its partner Mission Australia to help Australians who are in need of assistance. OzHarvest is an innovative charity that rescues excess food heading for the bin and distributes it to charities helping Australians in need. The charity’s distribution networks include Newcastle, Canberra, Brisbane, Adelaide and Sydney.

The charity, launched in 2004, carries 266,000 meals per month in Sydney via its fleet of eight vehicles. Across Australia OzHarvest transports 333,000 meals monthly via its fleet of 12 vehicles.

OzHarvest joined forces with Qantas and Mission Australia to present its CookOff event which along with well-known chefs also featured an abundance of prominent Australian CEOs from companies including Qantas, Toga Hotels, Coca Cola and Mercedes Benz Sydney, to raise awareness about social responsibility as much as generating funds for charity.

About four million tonnes of food per annum is thought to be wasted in Australia, in line with similar high levels of waste in other major countries. OzHarvest says its money will be spent on frontline resources to expand its services helping to redirect potential waste into worthwhile causes.

CEOs involved including Qantas boss Alan Joyce have expressed their pride in taking part in such a worthwhile event...132 CEOs took part in the first Sydney CookOff...

Now the Goal-den Girls running club has decided they want to make fundraising for charity a regular fixture and have set up an annual 10km race in Blackpool in aid of charity… Their marathon charity fundraiser and now the new 10km event has been organised by the club's leader, Tricia Ellis, a qualified UK athletics coach.

Tricia swapped retirement in 2010 to instead take up training for a marathon challenge in time for Olympics year 2012. She also thought inviting a group of novice women athletes would be a great thing to do to help her along...The women from historic seaside town Blackpool started training with the initial aim of completing the Edinburgh marathon in May 2012 for charity.

They have never run before at this level... Now they are doing a 10k run for fun...

"I wanted to leave a legacy for the Goal-den Girls so I have organised a women only 10k run for any women over the age of 15, explains Tricia.

"This is already on the Blackpool calendar of fixtures as an annual event and all proceeds will go to charity. Michael Hymen of Leonard Dews Jewellers has been kind enough to sponsor this event which is called the Goal-den Girls 10k..."
The Goal-den Girls 10k fun run is on March 25 along Blackpool Promenade. It's open to the public with an 11am start from the Hilton Hotel, Blackpool. It's a women only race with a £12 entry fee.

The race is also a precursor to the Goal-den Girls big fixture this year at the Edinburgh marathon which is raising funds for the charities: Northwest Air Ambulance, Hint of Pink, Clifton Dialysis Unit, Young Carers and National Coast Watch...

With the clock ticking as the major challenge of the marathon gets closer the group of 27 ladies have been training hard three to four times a week on Blackpool's famous golden sands.

The women's story has also drawn significant interest in the local area and beyond for their achievements so far. This includes picking up an official endorsement from the London 2012 Olympics Committee. The Goal-den Girls have been chosen to receive official 2012 Olympics Inspire branding for their fundraising races and promotions.

In fact, it looks set to be an incredible year for the women who now find themselves part of an official Olympics team...

"We are all excited and nervous as May gets closer and closer. Training is going well, we are out whatever the weather clocking up the miles week by week...

"We have become local celebrities in our home town of Blackpool. The name Goal-den Girls has become a kind of trade mark," explained Trisha.

In fact the girls have been overwhelmed by the attention they have received and want to repay their supporters.

"I would like to say a big thank you to everyone who has supported us in all our fundraising events over the past year and thanks to the Goal-den Girls for all their hard work, commitment and putting their trust in me when I told this group of ladies all over 50 they could run a marathon, says Tricia...

"You're never too old and it's never too late to start running..."

PETA US is running a 70ft billboard in New York for fashion week that stars the Oscar-winning actress and includes the slogan: Give Fur the Cold Shoulder.

PETA's campaign will continue in London and Milan.

Cruz is the latest female fashion icon to become vocal about the distasteful process of using real fur in fashion. Other women speaking out on this subject have included Michelle Obama, Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, Twiggy, Kelly Osbourne, Pink, Pamela Anderson, Eva Mendez and others.

Designers such as Stella McCartney, Vivienne Westwood and Tommy Hilfiger have also taken the fur-free pledge in line with the modern fashion view that sees animal cruelty as the antithesis of elegance and style.

Animal rights charities have long campaigned against fur in fashion on account of the suffering animals must endure to create the fur trims and materials used in a range of garments. But despite fur becoming increasingly such an offensive faux pas in enlightened quarters, PETA says millions of animals continue to suffer cruelly each year, including some which are skinned alive for their fur.

The range of animals that are exploited for fur is numerous and includes foxes, minks, rabbits, and even dogs and cats…

PETA has been one of the leading charities drawing attention to the abhorrence of the fur trade that uses such animals for fashion, especially the horror of fur farming. It says eighty-five per cent of the fur industry's skins come from animals raised on fur factory farms, where animals are cramped for their entire lives in wire cages, only to be killed for their fur. Animals are also trapped in the wild for some fur clothing products, a practice which is also inhumane, ensuring they often suffer horribly for days before being killed.

PETA's current campaigning involves asking animal lovers to pledge support and let the fashion industry and others who profit from cruelty to animals know it is totally unacceptable. In doing so, they will be joining Penelope Cruz and many other public figures, famous for their fashionable attire, who are increasingly saying no to fur in fashion.

At the end of the day a stop to the consumer demand of such products globally has the power to halt the cruelty to these animals in the name of fur for good...

The internship opportunities are across the UK and will provide opportunities for those who want to use their skills working with one of Britain's best known development charities, gaining experience in the charity sector and helping to change lives...

It's also an exciting time to get involved with Christian Aid's youth wing right now which is experiencing some major developmental changes. The Christian Aid Collective is the charity's consolidation of its youth branches under the Collective name.

While the new Collective brand is already being developed through social media and regular newsletter updates a major launch is expected later this year. Speaking about the launch of the Collective, Bianca Parry, Christian Aid's Churches Youth Manager has paid tribute to Christian Aid’s youth supporters.

Christian Aid's youth supporters have the opportunity to get involved in campaigns including helping to empower women to find their own way out of poverty, improving access to HIV/AIDS treatment and prevention, protecting the environment as well as helping those experiencing immediate food shortages and other dangers.

"It sounds like a cliché to say that young people are the future but they are and they’re also the present, says Bianca.

"They can have enormous impact and influence for good right now if we invest some energy into helping them understand how they can be part of this movement for change.

"What’s very exciting about this audience is that they’re already demonstrating a greater understanding of some of these issues in the 16-25 age group than we’ve ever seen before."

Christian Aid's new Collective brand sees young people as vital to the future and the positive changes that are required, and the charity wants to ensure those young people are welcomed and inspired to show what they can do.

Application deadline for the positions for those over 18 is Monday April 2. The Christian Aid Collective Internships are from mid-August to June each year. Expenses will be paid for the voluntary positions which are full-time for ten months. The internships also include a two-week trip to a developing country to see Christian Aid in action.

As well as an opportunity to channel enthusiasm into positive worth Christian Aid points to the valuable skills that are also learned on its internships.

For those who are passionate about global justice and want to communicate that passion to a young audience, the internships provide an opportunity to inform and inspire young people to get involved in the anti-poverty movement through workshops and other events and initiatives...

The charity says former internships have led on to work at ActionAid, Restless Development, TearFund, Staying Alive, People & Planet and other respected charities, as well as Christian Aid, of course.

Lesotho is unique in that it is the only country in the world where all of the land lies above 1,000 metres and it is also the only country in the world, completely surrounded by another (South Africa).

The prince will play in a charity fundraising fixture supporting disadvantaged people in Lesotho. The 2012 Sentebale Royal Salute Polo Cup in Brazil is part of the prince's royal tour this year. The prince is in Brazil from March 9 to 11 on behalf of the UK Government and his own charity, Sentebale. Prince Harry's visit to Brazil will include Rio de Janeiro and the State of Sao Paolo.

The Brazil visit comes after Prince Harry's overseas tour to Belize, The Bahamas and Jamaica this year from March 2 to 8 on behalf of The Queen as part of this year's Diamond Jubilee celebrations, and comprises his first royal tour representing The Queen...

As part of his visit to Brazil the Sentebale Royal Salute Polo Cup 2012 will take place on Sunday March 11, rounding off the royal tour.

The charity event in Campinas, Sao Paulo State features Argentinian player Nacho Figueras for the St Regis team against the prince's Sentebale charity team. It’s the third Sentebale Polo Cup match following its launch by Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso of Lesotho in Barbados in 2010 and also took place in the UK last year.

Sponsors include Jaguar Land Rover and Royal Salute as well as St Regis Hotels and Resorts, and Garrard - the jewellers and silversmith.

Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso launched the annual polo event to raise funds and awareness for Sentebale's work supporting sick and deprived children in Lesotho.

The charity supports victims of poverty and also HIV/Aids and focuses on sustainable aid, employing business strategies...

The charity's current aims are to provide long-term funding and support of small organisations in Lesotho and especially care for orphans and disadvantaged children, including those with special needs. As well as healthcare the Sentebale charity provides education and skills training to support sustainable development... including training and support for the management of partner projects in the mountain country.

The charity says it is concentrating on a dedicated results orientated approach, tying all projects into a business plan that is carefully assessed to maximise effectiveness and sustainability...

The charity is best known outside Scotland when it featured in an episode of Channel 4's the Secret Millionaire, shown on British television last year.

The episode followed multi-millionaire Ivan Massow who went undercover in Edinburgh's Pilton Estate. The programme showed the mix of support Fresh Start provides to its clients. Mr Massow later donated some of his own money to help the charity after visiting Fresh Start's warehouse and seeing how it operated first hand.

Support like that has helped Fresh Start's refurbishment of its warehouse, allowing the organisation to continue helping to resettle around 2,000 homeless households a year.

The charity that works in partnership with volunteers and organisations from across the community, delivers a range of practical, emotional and social support services and relies heavily on volunteers for the work it does…

The charity's newly refurbished warehouse means volunteers will be able to continue making up the charity's Starter Packs that help recently re-housed families and individuals make a fresh start in their new homes.

In 2011 the charity produced approximately 9,000 Starter Packs and volunteers contributed 2,800 hours to produce them. The Fresh Start warehouse is also the base for the homeless charity's Hit Squads that support people with decorating services and also Portable Appliance Testing services.

The two-month refurbishment, which involved upgrading electrics and insulation, means volunteers can work with better light and heating conditions...

Fresh Start has paid tribute to its volunteers, whose role is vital in helping homeless people make the new start they need. And the charity continues to welcome new volunteers who want to help to provide services, which in many cases can make all the difference in preventing at risk people from lapsing back into homelessness.

As such Fresh Start is typical of many small and medium sized charities that do sterling work, helping local homeless people rebuild their lives. These include charities that accept donations of unwanted goods, including furniture, which is also a commitment to recycling that can make a small but meaningful contribution to conserving the natural environment...

The evening of fun will raise funds for a sustainable educational project in Rwanda.

MAD4Africa which is run by volunteers invites supporters and Wild West fans out there to have a good time by dressing up with Stetson and boots, and perhaps trying out some line dancing, or even for the bravest budding Buffalo Bill or Cattle Kate, riding on the mechanical bull…

The charity event takes place on the evening of Saturday February 11, 8pm until late at The George Shillibeer, N7 - with proceeds going to MAD4Africa's educational training centre in Rwanda.

The rodeo hoedown promises plenty of laughs and games, including a prize for the longest rodeo rider on the bull and all in a good cause. The event will support the Kiyonza Professional Training Centre in the Ngoma Sector of Rwanda, a training facility which helps young people build sustainable futures for themselves and their communities.

The Kiyonza Professional Training Centre is in a very poor region of Rwanda and trains young people who are not enrolled within the education system, are unemployed or without any recognisable skills.

This training for young men and women includes life training like language skills and traditional trades like tailoring, carpentry and construction.

The centre is based in Kiyonza, a small village, close to the Burundian border which holds about 20,000 inhabitants but has meagre facilities, including no access to running water.

MAD4Africa says attendance at the centre is free and although the centre is equipped and up and running it needs ongoing support, and the charity also hopes to maintain and extend its services.

MAD4Africa was formed in March 2008 and is a UK and Rwandan registered charity. The charity runs regular fundraising events and hopes to ensure the long-term sustainability of its training centre and also develop future development projects…

Practical Action which provides hands-on and innovative development solutions across Asia, Latin America and Africa is drawing attention to its campaign to provide Zeer pots for the people of Sudan…The pots are refrigeration solutions based on simple science that has been known for ages, and can have the most remarkable effects for those that own them.

Sudan is regarded as one of the severest environments on the planet, the tough climate combining soaring heat during the day and extremely cold evenings. And when you consider it has been affected by the terrible drought crisis of recent years, the worst for decades, and has suffered decades of armed conflict, then life is surely harder than many people living outside that experience can easily relate to...

However, with the aid of local agencies and international partners many people are starting to rebuild their lives despite the ongoing scarcity of food and other challenges.

One issue is that in temperatures of more than 40° Centigrade food that is grown can easily rot away. With electronic fridges not really an option one of Practical Action's campaigns is to provide traditional Zeer pots that can keep fruit and vegetables fresh.

These unassuming looking pots literally save lives and can be made relatively easily using clay, water and sand, consisting of two earthenware pots of different sizes, placed one inside the other. The space between the pots is filled with damp sand that is kept moist by the addition of water and then the smaller pot is stocked with food. The top gets covered with a damp cloth. As the water in the sand evaporates this results is a drop in temperature of several degrees keeping the contents of the smaller pot cool. Practical Action is working with Sudan communities to produce Zeer pots.

A Zeer pot can keep 10kg of fruit and vegetables fresh for up to 20 days. Practical Action points out that donations of little over ten pounds can create a Zeer pot which can have an amazing impact on a family's life…Not only do these traditional pots sustain families with enough food to eat they also help to build a sustainable commercial culture, a way of making a living effectively.

By storing, food can also be sold at market bringing in revenue and stimulating local economies. The project is also a reminder that along with many large-scale schemes and development ideas at the end of the day it is small localised activities, extended over a bigger scale that… in terms of humanitarian aid and development… can and do make a very significant difference to people's lives.

Sir Paul McCartney will be celebrated at the charity awards gala at the Los Angeles Convention Centre on February 10 as 2012 MusiCares Person of the Year.

Actor/comedian Eddie Izzard will host the event which takes place two days before the Grammy Awards with a range of artists set to perform, including Tony Bennett, Coldplay, Foo Fighters, Alison Krauss & Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas, Katy Perry, Duane Eddy, Norah Jones, Alicia Keys, Diana Krall, James Taylor, Sergio Mendes and Neil Young with Crazy Horse. The cast of Cirque du Soleil’s Beatles tribute show will also be performing. The evening will also feature a unique performance by McCartney.

As well as celebrating Paul McCartney's extraordinary musical output and his charity work the MusiCares benefit gala will also include a silent auction of luxury items, VIP experiences and celebrity memorabilia supporting the musicians’ charity. 

Proceeds from the event will help MusiCares assist music industry people, financially, medically or otherwise, recognising the many difficulties that can affect musicians from all sorts of backgrounds.

Previous honourees include Tony Bennett, Bono, Natalie Cole, Phil Collins, David Crosby, Neil Diamond, Gloria Estefan, Aretha Franklin, Don Henley, Billy Joel, Elton John, Quincy Jones, Luciano Pavarotti, Bonnie Raitt, Paul Simon, Sting, Barbra Streisand, Brian Wilson and Stevie Wonder.

McCartney who has been described as influential to music in the same way that Picasso was to art or James Joyce to literature, has always committed to positive causes throughout his career whether animal welfare, humanitarian aid or democracy, human rights and social equality. Many would argue that he has brought the same eloquence and modesty to his charity efforts as he has to his music.

The legendary performer is being honoured as the MusiCares Person of the Year for this great combination of positive creativity and charitable work.

McCartney has described his life making music as a gift and so he sees it as a privilege to try to make the world a better place by giving something back...
 
 
 

Perhaps you have experienced the delight of finding a tome of literature, or a biography or work of academia or philosophy that became unputdownable and affected your life in some truly memorable way. Perhaps you wrote your own book in your favourite library?

Many people are passionate about libraries for good reason. Despite the advent of the Internet age and books of the month, Kindle, Amazon and other online stores, libraries continue to be important places to browse, savour and discover great writing or garner information, as well as increasingly these days to engage in community causes and gatherings…

Whether for entertainment or learning or other forms of enrichment libraries cannot be underestimated as a promoting factor in social mobility and aspiration over the ages as well as the pleasure of the pursuit of knowledge for its own sake.

What's more they are usually free and point to great ages of philanthropy and civilisation throughout the world, when for instance in Britain the Victorians built them seeing them as vehicles for social change, often funded by self-made people from modest backgrounds who developed philanthropic beliefs and wanted to see resources for education that were open to all for the betterment of society.

On many occasions great public libraries were built partly due to a religious inspired philanthropy and in some cases, indeed, the greatest libraries throughout the world became more like place of worship rather than functional centres of education.

The John Rylands Library in Manchester for instance is like stepping into a great cathedral, majestically hewn from Celtic rock and sandstone as it is, not just a storehouse for books. That attention to detail was symbolic of the reverence that libraries were once held in and can be again. Libraries are important as a rich part of our cultural history and continue to have an important part to play as temples of self-learning…

These days libraries of all shapes and sizes from small community libraries to mobile libraries continue to have a powerful positive influence on communities throughout the world.

Many writers have their favourite libraries and maybe that is why so many authors are joining forces to promote National Libraries Day with their new book for charity. Libraries across the UK will be celebrating National Libraries Day on Saturday February 4 with a range of events for library users to enjoy.

The day is a celebration of the work done in all types of libraries including school and academic libraries as well as public libraries, promoting learning, literacy and the enjoyment of reading. 

Also The Library Book is being published for National Libraries Day supporting The Reading Agency, a charity working to inspire more people to get reading. The Library Book publishes 23 writers looking at the idea of libraries past, present and future.

The authors include Anita Anand, Julian Barnes, Bella Bathurst, Alan Bennett, Michael Brooks, James Brown, Ann Cleeves, Stephen Fry, Seth Godin, Susan Hill, Tom Holland, Hardeep Singh Kohli, Caitlin Moran, Lionel Shriver, Zadie Smith and Nicky Wire...

The book and the National Libraries Day itself recognises the idea that without libraries many writers of today and tomorrow would not exist… And that libraries continue to make a tremendous positive impact on society…

Advance tickets in Italy are already on sale for the charity fixture set to take place on Wednesday February 8.

Manchester City will compete against an all-star team featuring players from both sides of the historic city, Genoa CFC and UC Sampdoria, in the fixture entitled Uniti Per Genoa (United for Genoa).

Manchester City head coach Roberto Mancini, a former Italian international and assistant David Platt a former England player both starred for Sampdoria during high points of their careers.

The pair along with two other Man City playing staff Attilio Lombardo, and Fausto Salsano previously played for Italian side Sampdoria. Platt also managed Sampdoria and Attilio Lombardo was formerly in charge of the youth team at the Italian club...

The charity match promises to be an entertaining encounter with Man City who are riding high in the English Premier League taking on the Italian all-stars. The match will also be emotional for all those who have ties with the city following the flash floods that saw six fatalities in November 2011.

As water gushed through streets following torrential rain buildings were engulfed and people had to seek shelter on the upper floors. Cars were swept away on the streets following the flooding.

The friendly encounter is expected to see a large squad of Manchester City players for the game at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris in the major Northern Italian city.

All proceeds from the game will go to charity helping victims of the floods... MCFC reports the limited tickets are priced at €30 (£25) each for City fans and are available from the club's supporter services...

UN Deputy Secretary-General Asha-Rose Migiro was speaking at the fiftieth session of the Commission for Social Development in New York on Wednesday in which he outlined the terrible inequalities and poverty affecting the world today.

Latest statistics from the International Labour Organisation show one in three workers is either unemployed or living in poverty, more than one billion people.

Calling for greater investment in food, education and basic services - especially for the poorest - he also paid tribute to the Secretary-General launched initiative - the International Year of Sustainable Energy for All. This initiative is based on commitments to end energy poverty and create a clean energy revolution to benefit all countries. 

"Development can never be sustainable if eco-systems are damaged in the process," Mr Asha-Rose Migiro said.

The UN Secretary-General calls for action to achieve sustainable energy for all by 2030 involve expanding energy access, improving energy efficiency and increasing the use of renewables, all critical elements for powering sustainable development...

Earlier this month UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called on governments, the private sector and civil society to make big commitments to support his Sustainable Energy for All initiative. The call underlines the significance of energy to sustainable development as well as raising the profile of the global launch of 2012 as the International Year of Sustainable Energy for All.

The UN's recognition can also be seen as part of a growing popular movement that is demanding a challenge to energy poverty, protection against climate change and damage to the environment, as well as improved nature and wildlife conservation, that is gathering momentum in order to secure the sustainable future that is required for all…

As such sustainable development is a top priority now for the UN humanitarian leadership. Central issues include tackling a lack of access to energy supply and reducing reliance on fossil fuels in the developing world while in developed countries the central problem is tackling the substantial waste of energy that occurs.

The Secretary-General objectives, by 2030, include universal access to modern energy services, a double the rate of improvement of energy efficiency, and a doubling of the share of renewable energy in the global energy amalgam.

Following consultation with a range of partners the Secretary-General will officially launch the Action Agenda, publicising the commitments made, on June 4-6 at the UN Conference on Sustainable Development in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

The announcements also combine with the launch of Energy Aid, founded by IBM and Practical Action. Energy Aid is a new charity dedicated to the global eradication of energy poverty and supported by the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation.

The charity aims to provide sustainable energy for those who have limited or no access to energy resources such as heating and lighting, and energy for other requirements such as cooking, communications and mechanical work.

Energy Aid supports the view that improved access to energy can be a way out of poverty for the staggering 1.3 billion people worldwide who have no access to electricity.

As a result, the charity will provide investment and resources across critical areas including South Asia, South America and sub Saharan Africa.

Energy Aid seeks to support local organisations and charities and encourage partnership between the private, public and charity sectors, an approach which is increasingly being proposed by experts in international development such as Bill Gates, as a priority strategy in order to attract sufficient investment and deliver effective, sustainable results…

The London based charity was founded in 1990 and works regardless of race or religion to help poor communities around the world. The charity provides direct support to small-scale sustainable self-help development projects to help relieve and eliminate poverty.

The volunteer led org seeks to draw upon the skills and resources of the Jewish community to help others, and currently is advertising for an intern amongst its volunteer positions…

The intern position seeks to support the charity's education and fundraising initiatives, and raise awareness of the charity's work within the UK Jewish community.

The flexible opportunity that is available for a minimum of two months between May and September would provide experience of international development initiatives from the UK for the successful applicant. This includes spending two to three months working on programmes such as educational outreach, organising events and learning about charity marketing for fundraising campaigns… The deadline for applications is February 14 2012.

The charity also has a number of exciting volunteer opportunities for those seeking to make a difference to vulnerable communities overseas, including in Ghana and India, providing an opportunity in this respect to gain hands on experience of overseas development. Its volunteer programmes send volunteers to assist overseas partners each summer. Overseas voluntary positions can include follow up opportunities in the UK.

The Tzedek charity's goals include dedication to raising awareness about social justice within the Jewish community. The charity also has many other volunteer opportunities, especially in fundraising, education and campaigning work, and PR and communications.

As well as sustainable development Tzedek runs education programmes via the Jewish Global Citizenship Project in Jewish schools and also provides sessions for adults which examine issues of international development and Jewish responsibility.

The re-launch which is now operational across its website and other media has been developed to raise the profile of the charity and connect better with the public and health professionals.

The charity's new strapline reflects its core mission values: care, connect, campaign…

Barbara Young, Chief Executive of Diabetes UK, has said the clearer branding reflects the charity’s commitment to want to communicate better in terms of who the charity is and what it does.

Diabetes is a condition which affects 3.7 million people in the UK alone. The charity, Diabetes UK, the largest UK organisation of its type, works for sufferers and families, friends and carers, and those at risk of developing the condition which can lead to serious health complications such as heart disease and kidney disease.

The charity says it will continue to campaign and encourage regular checks for diabetes and hopes to make an even bigger impact in all aspects of its work now, including fundraising for research into a cure for diabetes.

On a wider level the charity's rebrand can be seen as part of a trend for charity re-launches in the New Year, and is one of a number of announcements on this subject of late...

Another charity, Variety Club, the children's charity, has announced it will drop the word club from its name, and will be rebranding as Variety in an attempt to connect better with younger audiences.

The charity Rethink Mental Illness has also announced in the New Year that it will begin a digital overhaul of its website in an attempt to strengthen the Rethink Mental Illness brand, and raise awareness of serious mental illness issues.

Last year one of the biggest charity re-brands in the UK involved the Association for Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus, known also as the Spina Bifida Association. It re-launched with the new name: Shine.

Rebranding of charities can be expected to continue over time as a desire to reflect societal changes and better communicate with supporters and partners in a new age. And also as the work of individual charities changes over time there is bound to be a wish to better reflect the working of charities, in terms of up-to-date branding and marketing...

Also re-branding can occur simply due to a forward thinking agenda in terms of more ambitious marketing and fundraising goals.

Overwhelming research from marketeers suggests strong branding, including name awareness is an important aspect of any organisation's success, including charities, voluntary organisations and non-profits...

The 6ft 7 inch wrestling colossus, real name Terry Gene Bollea, is the owner of four diminutive Chihuahua animals. However, the wrestling phenomenon was in London and arrived at Battersea Dogs & Cats Home's to help set the record straight about Staffordshire Bull Terriers...

Hogan says the dogs, nicknamed Staffies by aficionados of the breed, are softer than people think and don't deserve their tough fighting image, drawing attention to some alarming statistics surrounding Staffordshire Bull Terriers in the UK.

Q - What is the main dog breed currently ending up at Battersea Dogs & Cats Home? 

A – The Staffordshire Bull Terrier, the majority of which, animal welfare officers at the historic dog sanctuary say have been rejected by their owners after the novelty of dog ownership wore off...

"Last year, 41 per cent of the dogs coming into Battersea were Staffordshire Bull Terriers or their crosses, says Battersea's Director of Communications Dee McIntosh.

"Staffies are not dangerous or aggressive by nature - they have become stigmatised by a minority of irresponsible owners who are more interested in their image than the welfare of their dog."

Hogan is backing Battersea's calls for more people to challenge the misconceptions which surround the breed and treat them properly as the loving family animals they can be.

Hulk Hogan spent time with Marcel a ten-year-old Staffordshire Bull Terrier who became a resident at Battersea following the death of his owner. Battersea says Marcel is a big friendly personality who is looking for a home where he can enjoy lots of cuddles...

Battersea recently published findings of a YouGov survey that revealed 23 per cent of respondents based their knowledge of Staffies on news reports, which often portray the breed as inherently dangerous and aggressive although this is not the case.

The charity says that Staffies are not inherently dangerous but that they are used and abused by a minority of owners who irresponsibly train them to be so.

Battersea has also reported it is seeing more and more cases of dogs being bought in to its centre with injuries consistent with dog fighting. This abuse of the dogs and misconception they are a fighting dog rather than a loyal, friendly family dog needs to change says Battersea.

As such last year the charity joined forces with other organisations including the RSPCA, the Dog's Trust and The Kennel Club to launch a campaign to challenge the UK government to introduce legislation to make irresponsible dog owners more accountable for their animals...

Part of the problem is Staffies are a descendent of the historic British bull dog breeds, bred for badger-baiting and other inhumane purposes, a mythology which some tap into for anti-social reasons. However, the experts at the Kennel Club as well as Battersea Dogs & Cats Home and other dog welfare organisations know them for the animals they are by nature and especially when treated properly, extremely reliable, highly intelligent and affectionate dogs.

Charities such as Greenpeace and others have been campaigning for decades for companies to take on greater responsibility, or Corporate Social Responsibility, as it has become known, when it comes to environmental action.

Many observers have long thought this pressure from activist non-profits along with the popular consumer support that is often generated is the only way that profound and lasting positive environmental change will occur throughout the world.

That change needs to occur amidst the business sector that has so much responsibility to reduce greenhouse gas emissions that have been shown to impact on climate change, as well as limit other negative environmental action that causes intense damage to the planet.

Ways that companies can show a commitment to the environment include limiting the damage they do to our oceans and natural landscapes, preventing deforestation and conserving water, foodstuffs and other natural resources especially natural energy resources…

They can achieve this by reviewing their supply chains and their energy policies. These environmental priorities include the need to invest in environmentally friendly energy solutions, particularly wave, wind and solar power.

Now a new report confirms that such moves are not just good for ethical, moral reasons and environmental ones but also good for business. Stock values rise when companies disclose green information, a UC Davis Graduate School of Management survey has revealed.

The study finds that it pays to be green, as companies open about their carbon reduction strategies quickly see their share prices soar. Authors concluded that investors prefer to invest in environmentally friendly businesses…

If company bosses cannot be motivated by the thought of saving the planet then the report shows carbon reduction strategies, across a wide range of industries can increase the value of a company - especially for smaller firms that experienced the biggest share price increases in the report, averaging 2.32 per cent increases in the short term.

The report shows that the fears of those business leaders who feel that environmental policy is bad for business are just hogwash and according to this report have no basis in reality.

In contrast, the view that businesses have nothing to fear from making progress in environmental terms, again has been expounded by environmentalists for many years. In fact, the report suggests that those companies who invest in the environment are likely to garner major financial dividends for their commitments…not just in terms of branding and general consumer support but company share value.

And that's great news for everyone because successful businesses support jobs and provide all kinds of valuable investments in communities.

In environmental terms the reminder that progress is being made with regards to the business outlook on the environment was confirmed by Greenpeace and Facebook’s announcement before Christmas that they will collaborate on the promotion of renewable energy, including encouraging major utilities to develop renewable energy generation.Other features of this historic agreement are a commitment to develop programmes that will enable Facebook users to save energy and engage their communities in green energy decisions.

It's a fantastic move bearing in mind the communications and networking powerhouse that Facebook represents…and it's worth noting that this came about only after a two year sustained campaign by Greenpeace as part of its global Unfriend Coal Campaign that enlisted online activists to persuade Facebook to power its data-centres with clean energy instead of coal... Another victory for the never to be underestimated Greenpeace.

More firms need to take up the challenge along with Facebook and examine their environmental policies as well as start actively prompting environmental friendly policies amongst their business associates.

From supply chains to energy commitments the message is clear from this latest business management study: going green will help your business not hinder it…

This year the Great Prostate Cancer Challenge is being expanded to 32 Cities across the states including Fort Lauderdale, Cleveland, Los Angeles, Shreveport and Lancaster, PA.

In 2011 the Great Prostate Cancer Challenge series raised nearly $2 million by fielding more than 12,000 athletes in 27 cities across the United States including Atlanta, Charlotte, Dallas and Detroit and this year the charity hopes to build upon that.

Races announced for 2012 supporting include Albuquerque, May 12; St Cloud, Sep 15; Detroit, Sep 9; Rochester, NY, May 28; Memphis, Apr 28; Chicago, Jun 2; Washington DC, Jun 17; and Buffalo, NY, Sep 15.

Zero aims to end prostate cancer by investing heavily in research and development for new treatments. In 2012, more than 240,000 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer and more than 28,000 will die from the disease...

By promoting greater awareness of the need for early detection and fundraising for life-saving research and new treatments for those with advanced disease, lives can be saved. As well as early detection screening the promotion of healthy lifestyles is also vital.

Zero conducts free testing through its Drive Against Prostate Cancer mobile testing programme and seeks to educate those at risk to receive a check-up... One of the charity’s central fundraising goals though is to continue to build a network of activists and supporters via its keep fit road races.

The road race forms part of Generation Zero, the charity’s campaign to raise $2.5 million for free testing, research and community measures to increase federal funding to find a cure.

The run/walking events in 32 cities nationwide this year forms a central part of its awareness raising as well as funds raising.

Part of its mission statement is to create the first generation of men who are free from prostate cancer.

The charity's organisers are optimistic it is achievable and hundreds of athletes and keep fitters across the United States are getting ready to support that cause…

And what's more the child actor has been making a hands on commitment to charity work, helping the homeless on Skid Row in Los Angeles, California. The star of the movie The Spy Next Door, in which he co-starred with Jackie Chan plus TV shows like Chowder, has been helping out over Christmas supporting homeless people in LA.

The young actor supports non-profit HAT (Helping All Transient) an organisation that helps the homeless with clean clothes, blankets, sleeping bags, hygienic kits and backpacks.

Presumably one of Hollywood's youngest charity supporters, the actor has also been providing information packs for these vulnerable people on how to access recovery support, shelters and other forms of assistance. On Christmas Eve, Will and fellow volunteers donated over 500 sleeping bags to the homeless on LA's infamous Skid Row.

However, it's nothing new as Will has been involved in charity work for some years and in 2005 helped support victims of Hurricane Katrina, producing hygiene bags with his mum to send to a Mississippi church to help those who suffered the loss of their homes.

Will's mum has said he has been inspired to continue his charity work by his hero and mentor Jackie Chan, the action star who has become a legend in Hong Kong and across Asia for his commitment to charity, including his memorable save the tiger campaigns.

Speaking on his blog Mr Chan says: "I think that everyone can take a lesson from Will and see that it's possible to make a difference in someone’s life by volunteering their time and energy. I'm really proud of Will and the good work he's doing!"

Jackie Chan's charity commitments are somewhat extensive, focused around the Jackie Chan Charitable Foundation and the Dragon's Heart Foundation, the latter which helps children and the elderly in remote areas of China...

The Jackie Chan Charitable Foundation offers scholarships to the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts amongst its services, and helps to support Hong Kong's youngsters through medical and other forms of support. The foundation's commitments across Asia include funding in mainland China for Operation Smile.

The humble action hero says he cannot take credit for the good work of his former young co-star because the youngster has been helping people along with his mum since he was just five years old.

Meanwhile Mr Chan who has reportedly supported hundreds of charities throughout his career, continues to expand on his charity commitments.

In 2011 the star added a European branch of his Dragon's Heart Foundation to reach other parts of the world, which this month has already launched water aid projects in Rwanda...

This year's breakfast event takes place on March 9 between 8am and 11am at London's Guildhall. The event is sponsored by HSBC with support from the City of London Corporation, City of London Police, FANY (Princess Royal's Volunteer Corps) and Journalists for Democracy and Human Rights (JDHR).

Corporate and individual packages are available for the networking and awareness event which features actor and Refuge supporter, David Morrissey as well as prominent speakers from the city.

While International Women's Day is celebrated around the world the occasion is marked annually in the City of London to acknowledge women's success and contributions to the workplace and society.

As part of the celebrations last year the breakfast event raised over £28,000 for Refuge, the charity which supports over 1,600 women and children every day. As well as emergency accommodation Refuge provides practical and emotional support and outreach services to women who suffer from domestic violence.

One in four women experience domestic violence during their lives and Refuge says there is still much to be done in terms of opening up a conversation about domestic violence and changing behaviours of perpetrators.

The charity which celebrated its 40th birthday in 2011 - it opened the world's first refuge in 1971 - recently launched its 1in4women campaign with Avon, the cosmetics company, seeking to empower women to speak out about domestic violence and also for others to talk more openly about domestic violence in society.

Like many taboo issues in society it is only by talking and raising awareness and also challenging negative behaviours and opinions that society can move forward…

At the Refuge fundraising event in March speakers will talk about their journeys in life, the challenges they have faced and how they overcame them.

Sponsorship funds raised will go directly to Refuge at the event that will bring together 400 women and men to offer a positive commitment and celebration of women's roles in society…

In a magnificent practical and symbolic gesture the German NGO KKNH is sponsoring Elvis the HeroRat on behalf of Elvis the human, a landmine survivor of the Bosnian war, thereby bestowing the gift of godparenthood to the human adopter.

German NGO Kriegskindernothilfe (KKNH) provides emergency assistance for child victims of war, and for years the org has supported Elvis, a landmine casualty from Sarajevo.

The young trainee rat, Elvis, is a gift from KKNH which assists children at harm as well as those affected by the terror of war…and is being adopted by them for Elvis, a double amputee.

Elvis the humble HeroRat will be trained to step up to the plate to distinguish the aroma of landmines, thereby joining the HeroRat team at APOPO providing vital lifesaving activities.

APOPO being the Belgium NGO becoming known for its effective work training and using rats for demining programmes in Mozambique and Thailand… as well as other lifesaving initiatives.

Elvis the rat is currently going through his paces at APOPO's training base in Tanzania, which also includes its research facilities and its tuberculosis detection centre.

The story of little Elvis the rat is also a reminder that along with his inquisitive and friendly nature he has some important work to do to save others from the fate that befell his new godparent. And that the work of any APOPO HeroRat is of such importance because they do have the power to save lives and prevent the loss of limbs, sniffing out and detecting landmines as they do so they can be cleared to avert harm.

Elvis the rat is the namesake of Elvis who as a young boy was brought to Germany for protection from the Yugoslavia wars. After the fighting ended he returned to Bosnia but while playing with a friend they discovered what they thought was a toy. In the explosion that followed his friend died immediately and Elvis lost his legs. He was only saved by the amputation of his limbs…

The German charity KKNH has since paid for his operations, financed and supported his recovery. KKNH, the charity that also raises awareness about landmine protection, has previously assisted APOPO by sponsoring fellow HeroRat Ziko.

However, the German charity now wants to strengthen its relationship with APOPO, it says, so it can act more preventively and reduce the impact of landmines as well as look after those who are the victims of mines.

KKNH has joined with APOPO to fund the full training programme of Elvis the HeroRat.

Elvis the human says he is honoured to receive the gift of Elvis the HeroRat because he understands the important work his ratty friend is capable of doing...

The gala dinner is courtesy of the charity founded in 1996 by Nelson Mandela that works in Southern Africa to support communities that are taking care of young people.

This year the charity's annual fundraising dinner is on Friday March 2 at Madame Tussauds in London, the world famous waxworks museum... and as might be expected the event's organisers are promising an exciting night of surprises for its supporters which will take full advantage of the museum’s exhibits...

As well as a red carpet entrance and a drinks reception there will be a three course dinner and free drinks.

It’s all in support of Mr Mandela's charity which aims to create a state-of-the art paediatric hospital for children of all social backgrounds. The hospital also aims to promote specialist research and training for new doctors.

There are only four dedicated children's hospitals in Africa as a whole compared to, for instance, twenty in Germany. As such Mr Mandela's charity has identified a children's hospital as a priority to help children in his country, and so the fundraiser is expected to make a significant difference in the lives of children in need.

Last year's gala dinner was completely sold out so advance booking is advisable say the organisers…

As well supporting the building of a dedicated children's hospital in South Africa, the event is expected to pay tribute to Mr Mandela, one of the most inspirational figures of the 20th Century.

Whilst retired from politics Mr Mandela's legacy continues through his devotion to equal opportunities via his charities: The Nelson Mandela Children's Fund, The Mandela Rhodes Foundation and The Nelson Mandela Foundation...

A total of 8 out of 10 Norwegians chose to support a humanitarian cause in connection with the Christmas holidays, according to the study from the Adoption Forum (Adopsjonsforum), a Norwegian non-profit which supports vulnerable youngsters.

Of those Norwegians that donated to charity during the Christmas period the survey revealed half of those gave money to a humanitarian aid organisation.

Of those who gave money to a humanitarian purpose in connection with Christmas 21.8 per cent gave between 250 and 500 kroner and 14.6 per cent gave over 500 kroner. The survey conducted on behalf of Aid for Children, Adoption Forum's affiliate organisation, also revealed that support for humanitarian aid organisations varies in relation to people's political party affiliations...

Interestingly most Christmas assistance was provided by Conservative voters…Surprisingly for some a total of 45.3 per cent of Conservative voters gave a contribution to humanitarian orgs in connection with Christmas, while other voter segments donated less.

The research also found donor aid to humanitarian organisations was also higher among women than men. While 40.4 per cent of Norwegian women supported a humanitarian org in connection with Christmas the equivalent percentage for males was 31.6 per cent.

The report also noted age differences when it came to humanitarian charity giving at Christmas. In the oldest age group, the majority of Norwegians chose to support international aid while younger age groups supported other humanitarian causes. The highest percentage among those who have given money to other including local humanitarian causes, was in the age group 25-39 years.

It is thought the terrible events at Utøya in July last year may have acted as a catalyst for younger people to offer substantial support for humanitarian organisations working in Norway. The work of which resulted in widespread praise for non-profit assistance organisations in Norway, especially the Red Cross.

The Norwegian Red Cross and its volunteers were widely applauded for their response to the tragedy last year which saw its help crews take part in search operations for missing persons around Utøya and provide emotional support for families and survivors…

At Christmas the Norwegian Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg thanked volunteers and rescue teams from the Red Cross, Norwegian People's Aid and other organisations for their supportive and compassionate efforts…

He has worked as a stuntman and coordinator on films such as Batman as well as the James Bond films doubling for Roger Moore and Sean Connery. He also appeared in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, Raiders of the Lost Ark and the Superman movies one, two and three.

However, one stunt back in 1985 nearly finished Mr Taylor's career as a stunt professional for good. While working on the Charles Bronson film Death Wish 3 he smashed his pelvis while leaping from a burning building.

Last year Mr Taylor recreated the stunt that nearly killed him - all in aid of supporting charity legacy giving - jumping from a burning platform from London's Battersea Power Station.

The stunt was part of a series of stunts to promote the benefits of charity will making, that include tax benefits, that Mr Taylor took part in last year... Mr Taylor's awareness campaign was for the Remember A Charity org which specialises in encouraging people to donate to charities via their wills.

Now Mr Taylor's heroic efforts have been nominated for a Marketing Agencies Association (MAA) Best Award for best PR-led campaign. Produced by creative agency DDB and Remember A Charity, the campaign has been recognised for its innovation, effectiveness and creativity…

The Best Awards, organised by the MAA celebrate UK cutting-edge marketing agency work and as such is an accolade for a charity marketing campaign... 

The winners of this year's awards, now in its 22nd year, will be announced on Thursday March 1 at a gala awards dinner at The Brewery in East London.

The MAA 2012 Best Awards, judged by industry experts, champions great marketing campaigns from all disciplines with obviously a main focus on commercial campaigns.

So the award nomination can be seen as an important celebration of the dynamic nature of the Remember A Charity/Rocky Taylor led PR campaign...

Help for Heroes, the charity which helps ex-service people is running its annual cake sale for charity. And it's not just any cake sale, it's a Colossal Cake Sale which runs from March 26 to April 7.

The charity is urging bakers to prepare to get baking and support its fundraising event to help wounded ex-servicemen and women. Cake sale enthusiasts can hold their cake sale wherever they like - at work or at home, in the church or local community centre, down the pub, café or anywhere else that takes your fancy...

Last year 184 baking fundraisers participated in the event but Help for Heroes is hoping this year to substantially surpass that number.

As well as cakes other home-cooked delicacies are welcome including marmalade, jams and chutneys… And as well as sales of cakes, raffles are also a good idea to generate funds.

The charity is promising a free fundraising pack for all those who register their cake sale, which includes labels, 12 balloons and a line of bunting, one apron, cookie cutter and two cake picks. And for those that really want to support the event in style Help for Heroes also has additional official cake sale merchandise goodies to choose from…

These include a rather charming polka dot apron to ensure you are suitably attired, retailing at only £5 (half price), a set of Help the Heroes baking tins embossed with the Help for Heroes logo, only £8; and a spiffing Help for Heroes cooking gantlet, £3, as well as a wide range of other baking paraphernalia, including reusable shopping bags and other goodies…

Funds raised will go to Help for Heroes rehabilitation programmes and other support services.

The UK charity which helps injured ex-service folk was formed in 2007 by cartoonist Bryn Parry and has since raised millions of pounds for programmes supporting ex-service people.

One of its major achievements has been the opening of the Help for Heroes funded Headley Court centre, opened in 2010 by Prince William. Facilities include a sports hall, gym and pool facilities as well as a variety of specialist treatment rooms.

So bearing all that in mind - there is no excuse but to take part in the annual Help for Heroes cake baking fundraiser...

In fact, what are you waiting for - go on, form a line! Don your apron and begin whisking those eggs! 

The coalition led by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and including 13 pharmaceutical companies, the World Bank and major health organisations is launching its collaborative effort to beat some of the worst Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) in line with World Health Organisation (WHO) objectives.

The programme is the latest recognition that some of the most significant health and humanitarian problems affecting the developing world can only be tackled by concerted partnerships…

The USA, UK and UAE governments are also involved in the synchronised efforts to speed advancement towards the elimination or control of the ten major NTDs which affect millions of people.

Neglected Tropical Diseases affect more than one billion people including more than 500 million children and disproportionally impact those living in poverty.

However, these diseases can be controlled via affordable existing treatments which have been proven to have a positive impact. For example global Guinea worm cases have reduced from 3.5 million in 1986 to 1,060 in 2011. Cases of other NTDs such as leprosy have also reduced significantly following interventions from WHO and its partners.

The partners have now announced new and extended collaborative commitments to control or eliminate the ten NTDs by 2020 in line with WHO goals.

The partners are aiming to achieve significant progress toward the elimination of lymphatic filariasis, blinding trachoma, sleeping sickness and leprosy, and control of soil-transmitted diseases such as river blindness by 2020.

NTDs infect one in six people worldwide and their effects are devastating causing blindness, malnutrition, swelling, anaemia, disability, disfigurement as well as social discrimination. They are a major catalyst for women's pregnancy complications and also reduce school attendance for children and worker productivity for adults...

The funding announcements from the coalition includes the Gates Foundation’s five-year $363 million commitment.

Partners will use existing treatments and share expertise and compounds to accelerate research and development of new drugs.

Treatment for NTDs is one of the most cost-effective health programmes available today… As such why shouldn’t NTDs be eliminated? That's the question being asked…

Bill Gates has said that the innovative approach should serve as a model for solving global development challenges in the future.

The pioneering partnership with the Metropolitan Police's Wildlife Crime Unit (WCU) sees the WSPA not only secure the dedicated police unit against funding cuts but strengthen its resources to fight wildlife crime across London.

WSPA announced the news today (Monday January 30) drawing attention to the widespread shame of wildlife crime that is operating on a global scale...Some of the obnoxious items of animal cruelty revealed by the charity during the announcement included endangered species such as a stuffed tiger cub and a large collection of rhino horn.

The London based charity that campaigns globally against animal cruelty includes awareness-raising against the illegal trade in bear bile amongst its current campaigns. Bear bile is an ingredient found in some traditional Asian medicines and is linked to thousands of bears suffering in Asian bear farms.

The WSPA says more than 12,000 bears are forced to suffer from cruel conditions often in tiny cages in bear farms to produce bile from their gall bladders in order to satisfy a global demand. The WSPA has circulated photographic evidence of the heart-breaking conditions these bears are exposed to as they are exploited for pure profit-making and misguided demand...

As well as being inhumane the WSPCA says bear farming is a threat to vulnerable wild bear populations - especially in South East Asia.

The charity is calling for an end to the illegal trade in bear products as well as an end to other wildlife crimes across the world. However, its latest commitment to the Met's specialist police unit will now ensure at least criminals who are attempting to make money out of illegally trading animals into London will have an increasingly difficult time plying their despicable trade.

WSPA UK director Suzi Morris says the funding arrangement for the WCU is equivalent to a one pound donation from every WSPA UK supporter. She says it's such an important announcement because the capital is a major trafficking centre for global wildlife crime, and so the charity feels it is its duty to help the Met wildlife unit create: "a lasting enforcement legacy."

The Metropolitan Police has a considerable record of tackling wildlife crime having seized over 30,000 endangered species items since 1995, including last year the world's largest seizure of rhino horn brought into the capital.

However, the new funding arrangements hopes to build on that and ensure even more wildlife criminals receive the justice they deserve...

The company increasingly known for its commitment to social causes, including support for the occupy movement that is calling for greater income equality, plus environmental and community causes, has been making its presence known in the islands paradise of the Bahamas in more ways than one of late...

Representatives of the company have been in the Bahamas as part of their annual Global Franchise Meeting discussing fun stuff like new flavours for their product ranges as well as business objectives for the company.
Meanwhile hundreds of the company's staff and friends gathered on Friday to help restore recreational areas for children.

The clean-up campaign in Nassau focused on Father Marshall Cooper Park, a run-down commons area, and the Woodcock Primary School which until now had no playground equipment.

The company's workers teamed up with the US Embassy to coordinate the projects and the celebration kicked off with a community ice cream party hosted by company co-founder Jerry Greenfield and ended with a party at the Woodcock Primary School.

The work in the common areas involved picking up rubbish, repairing and painting playground equipment, spreading sand in play areas, and painting perimeter walls and general cleaning. The Woodcock Primary School restoration benefited from new sand and landscaping, fresh paint and new playground equipment.

The small scale commitment to community is symbolic of a wider effort by Ben & Jerry's to social causes that shows that having a corporate ethical policy does not have to be all about doom and gloom and can indeed be lots of fun...

Ben & Jerry’s, best known for its ice cream products, was founded in 1978 in Burlington, Vermont and has long been associated with good intentioned causes. In 1988 the company launched its three part mission statement which clarified its objectives, focusing on promoting social justice and a commitment to the community as well as sustainable business development.

The company has been true to its word. Contributions made via the employee led Ben & Jerry's Foundation in 2009 totalled over $1.7 million. Also, the company donates cash to additional community groups and non-profits across the USA.

Ben & Jerry's is one of an increasing number of major businesses around the world that are making a visible and genuine commitment to donate a portion of their profits - as well as time and energy - into social causes. In some cases this is down to a realisation of the expectations of modern consumers or in the case of Ben & Jerry's and others, an on-going commitment from the company's founders to make a positive difference and share the proceeds of their labour...

The show which follows a successful North American tour has already been shown to more than 600,000 people since October last year.

The Immortal tour celebrates the music of the king of pop as well as his reputation for dance and choreography.
Written and directed by Jamie King, organisers promise more than 60 international dancers, musicians and acrobats.

After premiering in London at the O2 Arena on October 12, 2012 with a charity benefit as part of the opening night the show will travel through Germany, Sweden and Spain and other European countries.

Organisers say the musical and visual spectacle is a theatrical take on the singer’s love of music, dance and magic as well as his feelings on the natural environment.

The Immortal show includes Jackson's own voice as well as a number of the singer's former backing musicians and is presented by a team with a formidable history of major global extravaganzas.

Canada-based Cirque du Soleil is known for its vibrant entertainment which combines circus skills and music with traditional showbiz style high jinks and high tech effects.

Writer and director Jamie King has previous worked as Madonna's creative director, as well as a concert director for Rihanna, Celine Dion, the Spice Girls and Britney Spears. Other stars he has worked for include Ricky Martin, Jennifer Lopez, George Michael, Elton John, Mariah Carey, Christina Aguilera, Diana Ross and Shakira. This is his first show with Cirque du Soleil.

Jackson was known for his regular contributions to charity during his lifetime, including donating funds for Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital and the Michael Jackson Burn Centre for Children in Culver City, California.

The Guinness Book of Records has named Michael Jackson as the pop star who supported the most charities in his lifetime…These include AIDS Project Los Angeles, American Cancer Society, Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation, the End Hunger Network, Make-A-Wish Foundation, the Starlight Children’s Foundation, the Ronald McDonald House Charities and the Prince's Trust...

Currently more than 3.5 million children under five die annually from diarrhoea and respiratory infections, essentially due to a lack of standard hygiene and health facilities. More than two billion people lack access to adequate sanitation.

Basic investments in clean water, toilets and improved education about hygiene across a wide scale, could transform millions of lives, say a number of leading NGOs and international public health bodies.

That's why global orgs Oxfam, UNICEF, PSI (Population Services International), Save the Children and the World Food Programme are applauding the private sector investment that has been announced by Unilever at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

The multinational food and hygiene specialist is making a commitment to its humanitarian obligations by announcing a partnership with these five major global organisations...

The Unilever Foundation is making a pledge to provide resources and intelligence to improve the quality of life in developing countries via enhanced access to clean drinking water, hygiene, sanitation, better nutrition and health facilities.

Via a range of initiatives Unilever says its foundation will be working with its global partners on life-saving projects across the world, including supporting the non-profit PSI improving the health of families through delivering behavioural change schemes focusing on basics like hand washing, clean drinking water and sanitation.

Similarly Unilever is supporting Save the Children to benefit the lives of children by improving access to health workers and vaccines.

The world faces enormous challenges in terms of health and sustainable development that can in some ways be best supported by getting to the heart of what the priorities are at a global level... For many millions of people around the world that's just simply providing them with the basics of drinking water, nutrition and sanitation so they can stay healthy and from that point onwards do the rest - with those basics in place the sky is the limit in terms of sustainable development in Africa, Asia and elsewhere...

The UN has revealed as many as 8,000 prisoners are being held in 60 detention centres across the country with human rights orgs reporting widespread abuse including torture and summary executions.

Doubts about the credibility of the new era of Libya were tangible during the final period of the Gaddafi regime that saw the dictator dispensed with by an out of control mob ...

Simple good vs bad guys did not seem to apply when you consider that video coverage showed that Gaddafi was tortured before being killed in cold blood.

The point being that despite universal condemnation of Gaddafi as a supporter of international terrorism and a ruler of a repressive regime which used torture against its own people, many people around the world were being led to believe the new era was going to be different, and involve a respect for human rights as well as the rule of law and democracy ...

Now Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) has suspended its operations in detention centres in Misrata due to repeated evidence of torture.

Since January patients have been brought to MSF doctors with injuries caused by torture during interrogation, the human rights org has revealed, in some cases who were then once treated returned to interrogation centres to be tortured again.

MSF has said those in charge had effectively been using its doctors to patch up victims so they could be re-tortured... MSF also alleges officials exploiting and obstructing MSF's medical work.

Along with MSF's concerns Amnesty International has exposed the deaths of prisoners across Libya resulting from torture in detention centres. It appears while under their new management such centres have been operating on the same brutal principles as the previous regime, involving a lack of respect for human rights.

Amnesty says thousands of people are in prison in the new Libya without legal representations, the same as under Gaddafi...

During the rebellion regular tales of human rights abuses surfaced including excessive use of force towards Gaddafi loyalists and routine abuse of Sub Saharans. Human Rights Watch identified cases where guards forced sub-Saharan African prisoners to illegally carry out manual labour.

Worse still many African news agencies drew attention to the beatings and killings of black Africans in Libya who were targeted for allegedly being mercenaries for the Gaddafi regime. The African Union attempted to draw attention to widespread reports which included video footage of indiscriminate killing...

The latest outcry involves Human Rights Watch (HRW) reporting a number of makeshift prisons have been springing up, where abuse is taking place. The United Nations has contributed to the condemnation saying the transitional government (NTC) was failing to control militia groups. Sub-Saharan Africans have continued to be detained and abused.

Amnesty International and other human rights and humanitarian NGOs echo the hopes of many people around the world by calling for the new Libya to break from its past record of human rights abuse associated with Gaddafi.

The UN has asked for the detention centres to fall under more accountable control from the central authorities and include discipline based on human rights conventions... The latest response Sunday is that Libyan judicial police have promised to take control of these centres, which could be some form of progress and points to the impact of HRW, MSF, Amnesty and other charities that have continued to expose these injustices to the world ...

The work being done by Make It Right is part of the on-going restoration in the Lower 9th Ward following the devastating floods and damage inflicted by Hurricane Katrina.

Special guests including Sean Penn, Kevin Spacey, Spike Lee and Bennett Miller are among those appearing at the gala evening at the Hyatt Regency New Orleans.

Brad Pitt and Ellen DeGeneres will host A Night to Make It Right with other special guests including Randy Jackson, Seal, Dr John, Josh Brolin, Djimon Hounsou, Blake Lively, Chris and Jada Paul, and Wendell Pierce.
The gala event will include a VIP reception, live music in the form of a full-on New Orleans style celebration and a seated dinner, courtesy of award-winning chefs.

There will also be a live auction for charity of unique experiences donated by celebrities and artists.

Make It Right and sponsor Hyatt Regency New Orleans are hosting the A Night to Make It Right fundraiser to achieve the charity foundation's goal of building 150 homes in New Orleans...

The event will also celebrate the hotel's re-opening as well as raising vital funds. To start the fundraising efforts the Hyatt Regency New Orleans has promised $300,000 to help build two Make It Right homes in the Lower 9th Ward.

The 150 sustainable homes are for people who lost everything in the storm which followed America's worst engineering disaster when the New Orleans levee system broke...

The LEED Platinum certified homes include solar power, geothermal heating and cooling systems, first-class insulation, tankless water heaters and energy efficient lighting.

The project is so innovatory that it has been recognised not only as the largest green community in the world but also the largest congregation of advanced design homes created by different architects working on the same project. A total of 21 local, national and international architects contributed designs to the Make It Right homes.

Other aspects of the eco-homes include storm-resistant features like elevations to protect the homes from flooding, impact resistant glass and durable fabrics to protect windows - along with rooftop access and mould-free paperless dry walls...

Make It Right was founded by Brad Pitt in 2007 to help rebuild the Lower 9th Ward with a specific focus on these 150 eco-friendly homes which are designed to be safe and affordable.

Other projects taking place in the neighbourhood include the Make It Right playground, described as one of the most technically advanced eco-playgrounds in the USA. The playground is built with sustainable and recyclable materials and includes a solar-powered computer that allows Lower 9th Ward children to play physically active digital games ... 

The awards are from the fund's Improving Futures programme which aims to provide coordination between the public and voluntary sector, helping children from families with hardship problems...

The funded schemes will see large charities working with smaller community groups and local health and social services to look at new ways to help vulnerable children. Each project will receive up to £900,000 from the Big Lottery Fund and are intended to benefit 8,000 families across the UK.

Peter Ainsworth of the Big Lottery Fund has described the plans as a way of providing better coordination by mobilising all those who can help at a local level and finding cost-effective ways of helping.

The programme is part of a growing awareness that early-years, pre-school and primary school education is vital for children’s development. However, a lack of coordination, poor resources and a lack of effective training in early years education along with social factors can be seen to be damaging to children's development.

In England grants are going to projects in London, West Midlands, North East, North West and East England regions - as well as Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales which aim to make a difference.

In London, Family Pathways initiative in Lewisham is receiving £900,000 to provide support for children showing anti-social and destructive behaviours. Schemes to reduce aggression levels by developing empathy are part of the proposals.

In Scotland the organisations Aberlour, Action for Children Scotland, Barnardo's Scotland and CHILDREN 1st will come together to establish early intervention programmes in Dundee with an award of £900,000.

Other regional Awards programmes include the supporting of initiatives in Belfast to tackle domestic violence...

United Way of New York City is an organisation fighting poverty across the city, creating evidence-based programmes that help New York poor achieve educational accomplishments, income security and positive health. 

The Shawn Carter Scholarship Foundation supports institutions with higher education scholarships for students from deprived backgrounds across America, and is known for the Shawn Carter Scholarship Foundation College Tours. 

Jay Z will headline at the Carnegie Hall in aid of the charities on February 6 at 8pm and February 7 at 9.30pm. Tickets go on sale January 30 at 11am EST.

The funds raised will go to the two charities that are helping to fight poverty, and especially boost graduation rates in marginalised communities. The intention is to make college achievable for kids from low-income families.

Organisers of the concerts have recently been drawing attention to the relationship between poverty and school drop-out rates. New York City has the largest income gap in the US, say the campaigners, with thirty per cent of children in the city living in poverty.

Because of these statistics and that 39 per cent of New York students who enter high school do not graduate on time, Jay Z is supporting United Way of New York City and The Shawn Carter Scholarship Foundation efforts to improve the situation.

Multi-Grammy award winner Jay Z has grown into a phenomena in recent years through his increasingly positive messages and his role as a business leader and supporter of charity…drawing praise from President Obama, Warren Buffett and other prominent Americans interested in good causes…

The hugely successful recording artist also includes fans from across the music spectrum notably Chris Martin of Coldplay and others.

Jay Z's previous philanthropic efforts include support for the Water for Life initiative, and American Red Cross relief work following Hurricane Katrina, for which he made a substantial private donation...

"I was inspired when I came back from the United States and found many of my community people in Busia District had passed away leaving most of the children with helpless grandmothers, explains Mr Ojambo.

"Most of the entire community around was found to be HIV/AIDS positive and they need a lot of sensitization to know that they can be still useful to society and support their families and children.

"Therefore I was inspired to begin Sherman Health Care Foundation to help educate and find support for the community."

After successful campaigning against HIV/AIDS in Uganda in the 1990s, which saw steady reductions in infections, in recent years the battle against HIV/AIDS has needed to be stepped up again. In 2011 Uganda was reported as the only country in East Africa that was seeing HIV/AIDS infection rates rising. The Ugandan Ministry of Health identifies complacency about sexual practices as the main cause for the most recent epidemic and recommends educational programmes as the way forward to prevent transmission, along with medical treatment for those who are already infected, as joint priorities...

Along with HIV/AIDS Mr Ojambo describes the health priorities on the ground in Uganda as two fold...

"The challenges faced today in Uganda are Malaria killing many children and HIV/AIDS which has affected families, he says.

"Our communities need a lot of sensitization but due to funds (lack of) to carry out the sensitization projects, many children has been left to die and families loosing parents leaving behind helpless orphans...

"The children are also dropping out of school due to becoming orphans after losing parents because of HIV/AIDS. Hence lack of education support like school fees, books, uniforms, text books and welfare.

"Given funding opportunity we could carry out workshops on HIV/AIDS sensitization in the family communities as well as school communities.

"Also sensitizing the community masses on malaria controls and providing mosquito nets to each household.

"The organisation has the goal of supporting orphans and needy children through education support, providing school fees, uniforms, pens, books and text books."

Sherman Health Care Foundation is seeking individual volunteer partners and ambassadors to help fundraise for the organisation and its partners.

The NGO's programmes include education programmes for women to promote the prevention of HIV infection and for men to ensure they are informed of their potential role and responsibilities when it comes to the prevention of transmitting HIV.

High quality voluntary testing and counselling for pregnant women and care and support services for mothers living with HIV and their families being made available and accessible over the long-term are other priorities.

The charity says it conducts many of these programmes and seminars by health care workers in the community and other gathering places away from the health clinics, to limit the stigma and suspicion surrounding HIV, which is still a major problem at the heart of the challenges that need to be overcome...

Now the billionaire has offered his latest 41.6 million donation to charity as just one of his latest series of donations and is promising to give away even more to charity.

Buffett revealed the donations via his end of year report on his Berkshire Hathaway corporation holdings. The philanthropy campaigner donated 521,292 shares of company stock. The amount is in addition to other charity donations in the last couple of years including investment in the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and his family foundations...

Reportedly one of the recent charity donations alone was valued at $31.5 million.

The philanthropist, currently ranked by Forbes as the world's second richest man, has said that he will donate all his wealth to charity eventually, which is currently estimated at approximately 40 billion dollars...

Buffett has also been recognised as instrumental in beginning a debate about the responsibilities that come with wealth in the USA, regularly encouraging other rich people to give significant sums to charity. Buffett has even called on the US government to tax the rich more to provide for essential services, a controversial idea in the free market economy of the United States.

However, surveys in the US suggest that a majority of super-rich are supportive of his ideas that they should be generous and follow his lead and that of fellow billionaire philanthropist Bill Gates to do more to help others.

Recent surveys include the Spectrem Group research last year that found that 68 per cent of millionaires supported raising taxes on those with $1 million or more in income. A more recent survey by PNC Wealth Management, Responsibility and Money: How the Wealthy View Their Role in Society revealed that 64 per cent believe they should give big amounts to charity to help others.

Forbes in December revealed that in 2009 the very rich gave away 20 billion USD via family charity foundations...

Mr Buffett is one of a number of very wealthy Americans who have signed up to the Giving Pledge campaign to encourage the richest people in the USA to make a commitment to give the majority of their money to philanthropic causes.

The campaign focuses on billionaires and was launched in 2010 by Warren Buffett and Bill Gates...

The money is being directed from Big Society funds, which are being made available from the government to support innovative charities and non-profit groups which promote volunteering and can help communities across the UK.

The new funding means that the charity can recruit up to ten thousand new volunteers to mentor young people experiencing life challenges. The opportunities are for people of all ages, including young people themselves who can volunteer and offer support for others of their own age. Once the volunteers have received relevant training they will be invited to sign up to mentor young people online for a few hours a week.

Following an initial government grant in 2011 this latest investment enables the organisation to publicly launch and expand its services.

It will also create a major new offering to families, and a programme to support young people with mental health issues, for launch in 2012 to 2013.

Significantly, the Cabinet Office's investment will also assist the new organisation to take its Cosmo software to the commercial market, a real-time chat and messaging platform that provides a safe online environment.

Beatbullying encourages young people to access help in a safe web based environment and receive support via programmes which offer confidential help. As such the development of We're Altogether Better builds on existing online mentoring and advice services run by the charity, including CyberMentors, FutureYou and MiniMentors. 

The award is also a recognition of Beatbullying's innovative and effective approach as a social action charity, inspiring digital volunteering and making a real difference to young people's lives.

The charity points to research that its digital support services do work. CyberMentors, which is powered by Cosmo, has already helped over 1.4 million children and young people and seen a 60 per cent reduction in child-on-child violence in schools where it's implemented.

The charity says its volunteers will continue to work hard to make a real difference in society by battling racism and violence, improving mental health, and promoting educational achievement and employment opportunities for youngsters...

The original The Secret Policeman's Ball in 1976 was developed by John Cleese of Monty Python fame and others who put together an all-star mix of comedians and musicians to support Amnesty International's human rights campaigns.

The initial event and subsequent shows and film and TV spin offs have been widely acclaimed for the inspired performances they showcased.

Early Secret Policeman's Balls in the UK are famous for now iconic British comedy sketches, including Monty Python's Four Yorkshiremen in which a group of boorish self-made men brag about their terrible childhoods and also the famous Monty Python 'Dead Parrot' sketch. Early shows helped to launch the career of Rowan Atkinson and others.

Musicians such as Bob Geldof, Bono and Sting have also credited the balls as an inspiration for future global benefit events they became involved in, such as Live Aid. The often anarchic nature of Secret Policeman's Balls are also widely acknowledged as having had an enormous impact on popular activism for social, environmental and other good causes in recent decades…

The 2012 ball in NYC hopes to return to the classic format of the 1970s shows which are notorious for their originality. Organisers say three hours of new material has been specially written for the event which will be broadcast on British TV.

An audience of more than 6,000 people are expected for the Radio City Music Hall show which will also see music on offer in the form of bands such as Coldplay and Mumford & Sons.

John Cleese, one of the pioneers behind the original Secret Policeman's Balls, has also been urging people to remind themselves how important free speech is and how vital the work of Amnesty International is to protect that free speech which provides the fundamental basis of democratic society.

Free speech is often taken for granted and is usually one of the first rights to be stifled by repressive and totalitarian regimes. Even in functioning democracies free speech can also be seen to be under pressure from commercial and other political forces in society.

While Amnesty reminds us that free speech is a basic human right denied to thousands of people around the world today, the forthcoming Secret Policeman's Ball aims to celebrate its importance in fun and inspired ways through the joy of comedy and music...

Without speculating on the reasons for the death of Mr Speed - a very well respected professional player due to his sportsmanship on the pitch and his respectful behaviour off it... it appears clear that Mr Speed took his life while experiencing mental distress.

An inquest on the former Wales football manager revealed he was found hanged at home and that police are not treating the death as suspicious. It's impossible to appreciate the grief and suffering of Mr Speed's family and everyone touched by this terrible story sends their heartfelt condolences.

One theme that emerged though after the distressing news of his death in 2011 was the limited attention given by the media to the wider issue of suicide and mental health, and especially how it affects men...

National statistics reveal that suicide is the leading cause of death among men under the age of 35 in Britain and that while women are twice as likely as men to be diagnosed with depression - men are three times more likely to kill themselves.

The death of Mr Speed occurred as mental health charities Rethink Mental Illness and Mind re-launched their mental health campaign: Time to Change, which promotes the breaking down of stigma attached to mental health problems and encourages more people to open up about the subject...

Again without making any speculation on individual cases - however, is there a sense in male sport and male culture in general that these things are just not talked about enough amongst men and in some instances this can result in terrible consequences?

Mark Davies, Director of Communications at Rethink Mental Illness, says:

"There is still a great deal of stigma around mental illness, which makes it difficult for people to open up about what they're going through.

"This is especially true for men, who are much less likely to seek help for mental health problems, as they may fear being seen as weak or unmanly. We need to tackle the stigma around mental illness in order to encourage men to open up about what they're experiencing and to seek help.

"If we can face that reality, we might better understand mental illness, and reduce the stigma which stops so many men from seeking the help to help them turnaround their lives."

This year Rethink Mental Illness and Mind are supporting a number of new initiatives as part of the Time to Change campaign that aim to end the ignorance and stigma surrounding mental health issues.

Time to Change aims to improve public awareness and is offering a grants fund to help support community led schemes that challenge prejudice and develop support for those with mental health issues.

And for anyone who wants to support the campaign there is the option of making an online pledge along with Stephen Fry and others to be more open when it comes to mental illness.

For anyone interested in finding out more, there is lots of information at the Time to Change website which promotes the idea: it's time to talk...

Do you feel that more needs to be done to tackle awareness about mental health issues in society? If so why not support the Time to Change campaign and the health charities that are involved in it: Rethink Mental Illness and Mind?

A World Wildlife Fund study reveals hundreds of boats from across Europe are operating as far away as the Indian Ocean and the South Atlantic to catch fish.

It's a revelation which has serious consequences for marine conservation because according to the EU in 2008 the EU external fleet comprised of 718 vessels, which represents 25 per cent of the EU fleet in terms of gross tonnage. With the impressive catching technology at the disposal of modern vessels it's a development which calls for a new system which can ensure the sustainability of European fishing fleets operating globally, says WWF.

More than that sustainability needs to be built in to prevent the global fisheries crisis being allowed to run out of control. Overfishing is recognised by marine ecologists as the greatest threat to marine ecosystems and now the WWF-UK report: spatial expansion of EU and non-EU fishing fleets into the global ocean, 1950 to the present, offers a wake up call to the EU - that commercial fishing has dramatically expanded its areas of operation with potentially serious consequences.

With many of Europe's fish stocks depleted the report highlights factors such as subsidies along with the improved technology that makes European fleets more mobile to chase fish in the far reaches of the globe. Also the development of access agreements with developing countries especially in Africa and the practice of re-flagging where EU boats evade EU rules by adopting a non-EU country's flag are a cause for concern...

WWF-UK identifies much of the European tuna and other pelagic fleets are now concentrating their fishing efforts overseas due to declining domestic catches and restrictions.

Essentially WWF-UK calls for on-going reform of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) to take into account these changing patterns of commercial fishing. WWF-UK wants to see the inclusion of measures to ensure all EU-flagged vessels fish sustainably, wherever they operate in the world.

The conservation charity is urging the UK government to ensure not only UK fleets but all EU vessels adopt sustainable practices wherever they operate...

The report shows charitable donations from mobile phones have grown more common in recent years and also reveals a number of new trends related to text giving. A majority of American adults - 64 per cent - now use text messaging and nine per cent, almost one in ten people, have texted a charitable donation from their mobile phone.

The report, Real Time Charitable Giving, reveals mobile phone users texted millions of dollars to support Haiti earthquake relief and also got their friends to do the same. Contributors to the Red Cross Text to Haiti earthquake relief campaign were spontaneous donors who often called on friends and family to give to the campaign too, the research reveals.

The detailed study analysed the Text to Haiti campaign and found three quarters of these donors - 73 per cent - used their phones to donate on the same day they heard about the appeal, suggesting the immediacy of texting a donation is an attractive proposition to donors.

Also 76 per cent of those interviewed say they typically make text message donations without conducting much research - again suggesting spontaneous giving takes place with the phone. But even more interestingly that 43 per cent of these donors encouraged their friends or family members to give to the campaign as well. These charity text donations spread virally almost like wildfire through groups of friends' mobile networks...suggesting a major new trend in charity giving is taking shape.

In addition, a majority of those surveyed - 56 per cent - have continued to give to more recent disaster relief appeals using their mobile phones, such as the Japan tsunami appeal.

The report's findings add to a growing amount of evidence over the last year that indicates text donations are an increasing phenomena especially for young people.

Pew's research offers substantial information to back up the trend with a focus on a major charity campaign case study. The report provides a mass of insights into why certain people appear to like to text their donations and in particularly identifies a younger generation which has grown up with the Internet and digital mobile technology and so is very comfortable with the idea of charity giving by text...

Texting is a very personal medium and when you consider so many phones are combined with Internet access, it suggests during campaigns text giving options should be provided along with other digital marketing platforms like social media, in order to maximise fundraising revenues...

The study suggests more charities should take advantage of the technology available to integrate text giving into their fundraising campaigns. And that there appears to be new markets out there for charity marketeers who want to integrate text donations into their campaigns...

Many of the comic book heroes of course have benefited from major film and TV franchises. The ultimate message is that the world needs heroes...

Bearing that in mind, why not join Superman and Wonder Woman and support DC Entertainment's campaign to save lives in East Africa?

DC Entertainment, best known for the DC Comics publications that created characters such as Superman, Batman and many others has announced a major giving and awareness campaign to fight the on-going hunger crisis in the Horn of Africa.

DC's We Can Be Heroes campaign will assist Save the Children, International Rescue Committee and Mercy Corps. The promotional campaign features the world-famous range of comic book super heroes...These include Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, The Flash, Aquaman and Cyborg, all of whom are issuing a plea to tackle the devastating hunger in East Africa.

The We Can Be Heroes campaign is backed by a multi-million-dollar investment that will include advertising aimed at generating awareness across major media platforms.

Also the charities Save the Children, International Rescue Committee and Mercy Corps will equally share a corporate donation of at least $2 million over the next two years, comprised of cash donations, employee matching funds and consumer matching funds from DC Entertainment and its partners.

The collection of Justice League characters to front the campaign were chosen by DC Entertainment for their global recognition plus the added theme of having strength in numbers. The campaign's heroes are banding together as the Justice League, to become an unstoppable force for good and right in the universe...

It's true that through collaboration and determination often the most terrible challenges can be overcome.

The current situation in East Africa remains critical… with Save the Children indicating around a quarter of a million people are facing starvation this year. And the facts remain that those facing a life or death struggle in the world through no fault of their own need heroes today, tomorrow and probably long into the future...