2009 Flora London Marathon

Congratulations and thank you to our 21 VSO runners who took part in the 2009 Flora London Marathon. We thoroughly enjoyed being part of the crowd to cheer all our VSO runners to the finish line. We are extremely proud to have had such a fantastic team of runners representing VSO in the marathon and raising much needed funds.

More than 34,000 people finished the 2009 Flora London Marathon. If you would like to be the proud owner of your very own London Marathon medal then here’s your chance to gain a 2010 place in one of the most prestigious running events.

Apply for a marathon place

Namibia
VSO volunteers have been sharing skills in stunning Namibia since 1965. In this month’s postcard, inspirational schoolgirl Loide Mpinge proclaims her right to a decent education while VSO volunteer Jill Hudson describes how she's working to make Loide's dream a reality. Finally, hear from occupational therapist Patricia Flynn who describes how she's using her skills to improve the lives of disabled people, but hasn't yet had a chance to read 'War and Peace'...

Loide's plea for a better education
Watch Jill Hudson's video story
Read Patricia Flynn's story

Population: 2 million | Capital city: Windhoek | GDP per capita: $7,586 | HDI ranking: 125 | Life expectancy: 53

Reforming the UN for women - Tuesday 19 May, 2009
Join VSO and Action for Southern Africa for a panel discussion with Stephen Lewis, co-director of AIDS-Free World and former UN special envoy for HIV/AIDS in Africa. The panel of speakers will explore inadequacies of the UN's current system for women and discuss the proposal for a new UN women's agency.

Find out more and join the discussion

Have your say! Eliminating World Poverty - a discussion document
The Department for International Development (DFID) is producing a new White Paper looking at the challenges facing the world and the global solutions we need to develop together to address the economic downturn, climate change and conflict and security.

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VSO’s new CEO demands new UN women's agency
As her first public action in office, VSO’s first female Chief Executive Marg Mayne is spearheading the charity’s demand for the UN to establish a new women’s agency.

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VSO's Around the World Quiz - Thursday, 15 October 2009
The Around the World Quiz is an action-packed evening of corporate entertainment and charity fundraising, with fine food and wines. A great opportunity for client entertaining and networking, the event will also raise vital funds to support VSO’s work in 42 of the world’s poorest countries.

Cultural events page

Advocacy addressing dire shortage of health workers in Sierra Leone
VSO’s health programme in Sierra Leone, which has now diversified its activities to system-level support, advocacy and national volunteering, is still struggling against a background of poor resources and non-existent infrastructure. However, the programme is contributing towards real change with technical skills and advocacy.

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3 Peaks Challenge 2009
This is a challenge of a lifetime! It will require you to work as part of a team in order to climb the three highest peaks in Scotland, England and Wales in 24 hours. Primarily a team building exercise this challenge commands both mental and physical fitness as teams of 5 people aim to climb 3,407 metres, walk 23 miles along with 2 support crew who will drive 400 miles.

VSO's Three Peaks Challenge page