And many more! Including...
Andrew and Juliet Morton have been supporters in Burundi since just after they married in 1973. “We enthusiastically support all that you have been doing and all the relief from suffering that you have brought.”
Moses Mulamba, former sponsored child from Kenya, brought clean water to over 10,000 people through his job as a public health officer. “The impact of ActionAid is immense – I do not have the words to describe it.”
Jeleelah Quaye, Ghana. Training helped Jeleelah become a local councillor for 20 villages. “ActionAid has changed my life. They made me realise my abilities. Now what ActionAid did for me, I can do for others.”
Lizzie Mwende has been part of ActionAid Kenya’s child sponsorship team for 26 years. “The part I like most is speaking to lovely supporters and hearing how excited and interested they are in our work. We should all try to make a difference, even in one person’s life.”
Alyson Hutton is celebrating her 40th with ActionAid, going on a First Hand Experience to Nepal for the second time. “ActionAid is a charity close to my heart. Seeing the hardships people face has made me determined to do the little I can to help.”
Pat Gore, fundraiser, has run our Crosby ActionAid group for 27 years. “I have made many friends through ActionAid, while helping people who are really in need. I will support it as long as I am able.”
After 18-year-old Beccy Taylor tragically died in a car crash, her family decided to celebrate her life with a gig. They have since raised an amazing £22,000, providing clean water for children in Sierra Leone and Uganda, and school gardens in Malawi.
Nigel Smith has been a cheerleader for ActionAid since he became involved in the late 70s. He and wife Chris helped set up the Hull group in 1981, still going strong today!
Purna Kala Shah , former sponsored child, has spent 26 years as a midwife, delivering hundreds of healthy babies. “[My sponsor] opened my eyes. Because of them I was also able to open the eyes of my children.
Adam Chataway, fundraiser with Vicky’s Water Project “I’ve been lucky enough to see the incredible work of ActionAid Ethiopia and the inspiring communities they work alongside... it’s a unique feeling.”
Kabiru Shehu, sponsored child, Nigeria. “To me, ActionAid’s work is like a big strong elephant because they help us children and can do anything!”
Noerine Kaleeba, ActionAid board member and HIV activist. "We continue our fight with Nelson Mandela’s words ringing in our ears, ‘Like slavery and apartheid, poverty is not natural. It is man-made and it can be eradicated by the actions of human beings’.”
Cherelle Casto, volunteer, child sponsor and Avon Gorge abseiler. “Doing things for others who are less fortunate than me is not only a hobby, it’s a passion. I believe every single person on this planet deserves to have access to the same opportunities in life.”
Moti Lama, former sponsored child and now a campaigner, Nepal. “If you say ‘I’m a youth from a slum community’ then no one will give you respect, but when you tell them ‘I’m a youth activist’ then suddenly you have a different kind of identity.”
Jerry and Anne Leach, supporters for almost 40 years, celebrated their ruby wedding by asking for donations to ActionAid. “It’s great to think we can use this celebration to help others.”
“I was at my first festival and was ‘stickered’ by ActionAid. When I got home I wanted to know what it was about so looked it up – and liked what I saw!”
Gill Pope has been sponsoring children for 39 years. “Sponsoring a child is amazing. I’m helping children to get an education so they’re equipped for life.”
Jo Brand, supporter. “ActionAid’s experience of working with women across the globe demonstrates that no matter how terrible their circumstances, most women possess the universal talent to just get on with it.”
Zoe Sanders, campaigner, lobbyist and fundraiser. “It’s important for my children to know their mum is socially aware so they understand their part in the wider world. To sound cheesy, they are the future.”
Shwetha Manjunath. Kilimanjaro climber, “I was inspired to challenge myself and support a charity that helps people fight for the rights they are denied.”
Grace Knight, volunteer and campaigner, also promoted child sponsorship at school. “We shout about everything these days, if we focused even some of that energy on talking about women’s rights, child marriage... the difference would be astounding.”
Illiasu, former sponsored child, now supports five orphans in Ghana. “ActionAid is great – we say it’s like they have donated life to some of us.”
Maggy Barankitse founded an orphanage during Burundi’s civil war with ActionAid’s help. She has now helped over 10,000 orphans and vulnerable children. “ActionAid and I have the same philosophy – it is not to assist, but to give people a chance to hold their lives in their own hands.”
Mark Lewin, community campaigner. "ActionAid is very dynamic and keen to work with younger campaigners. The tax campaign has raised awareness amongst MPs, and it’s building for the future.”
Natalie Grindey, lobbyist who won a won a temporary ban on SABMiller beers at Edinburgh University. “I was a big fan of the way ActionAid worked, as they not only taught us about the campaign but taught us how to campaign as well.”
Glyn Allen, chair of the brilliant Guernsey ActionAid group, which is celebrating its 30th birthday. “In its first 29 years we’ve raised £557,740 – so, if this year we can raise £43,000, our 30-year total will exceed £600,000!”
Do you know a star ActionAider? We’d love to hear about them! Nominate your favourite below!
