Going, going, gone: Oxfam's celebrity auction Today Oxfam launched an exciting celebrity auction to raise money for the huge Chad and Darfur emergency appeal. Elton John’s suit, Corinne Bailey Rae’s dress, Sienna’s shoes and Tracey Emin’s artwork: these are just some of the fab prizes on offer on ebay. And if you don’t fancy bidding, then you could always contribute an item to the auction yourself. Don’t we all have something getting dusty in the cupboard, jewellery sitting in the box, or an instrument that’s never played? If this sounds familiar, add your item to the auction, select the Darfur appeal when you list it, and donate a percentage of your sale to the crisis. Oxfam’s work in Darfur and Chad is keeping people alive, and with your support we can reach the thousands more people who desperately need our help. Visit the ebay auction now >> Make a donation to the Chad and Darfur emergency appeal >> posted at 4:22 PM | Permalink 0 comments

Well done Chris! On Sunday the youth team's Chris - who you may remember as our Latin America Coldplay blogger - completed the London Marathon in just 3 hours and 50 mins, AND he managed to raise over £xxx for Oxfam. We’re all very proud of him and want to give a massive shout out of congratulations from everyone at Generation Why. Go Chris! And if you fancy running for Oxfam next year, register now >> posted at 4:01 PM | Permalink 1 comments

Running for change They've been training for months, abstaining from the bevies, and carb-loading for the past few days, and on Sunday they'll meet their challenge: the London marathon. As per usual, this year loads of people will be running for Oxfam including the youth team's very own Chris Rose. If you're there on Sunday, make sure to give him a shout of encouragement. And if you're taking part yourself then best of luck from us. Also, if you fancy running for Oxfam next year, you may be interested to know about our gold scheme, which features lots of benefits including a proffessional sports massage. Find out more >> Read Heather Moorhouse's article Running for change >> posted at 3:38 PM | Permalink 0 comments

Applications open to get into festivals for free Application forms are now available to become a campaigner with Oxfam at this year's summer festivals. Campaigning is good fun, but hard work. You’ll probably enjoy the experience more if you’re an out-going, chatty person, and you need to be honest and reliable – you will be representing Oxfam and the festival to thousands of people. You should have an interest in Oxfam’s campaign issues. You need to be over 18, agree to comply with timing requirements – no exceptions – and work one 4-hour campaigning shift per day. In 2007, we'll be campaigning at Glastonbury, Isle of Wight, NASS, V Chelmsford, V Stafford, Carling Reading and Carling Leeds. Find out more and apply now >> posted at 11:35 AM | Permalink 0 comments

Smart kids speak up about Darfur Yesterday, to help launch its £5m aid appeal for Darfur and Chad, Oxfam opened an art exhibition that helps bring you closer to living-conditions in the two country’s makeshift refugee camps. Amongst some of the big news channels, Newsround was there to tell the story – most eloquently we think. Have a look for yourself: Darfur and Chad crisis report on Newsround >> The art exhibition - described as a unique sensory experience - features powerful images from renowned war photographer Don McCullin. You can see these on the Oxfam website, or better still visit the exhibition. Here are the details: The Lower Gallery at The Air Gallery, 32 Dover St, W1S 4NE (Green Park tube) Tues 17 – Fri 20 April: 12pm – 8pm Saturday 21 April: 9am – 3pm FREE ENTRY Read more about the situation in Darfur and Chad >> Donate to Oxfam’s Darfur and Chad emergency appeal >> posted at 11:36 AM | Permalink 2 comments

Darfur and Chad emergency appeal It’s rarely mentioned in the news, and you may know almost nothing about it, but the situation in Darfur has been named by Oxfam as “the greatest concentration of human suffering in the world.” Fighting is rife, millions are in danger, and in some areas the aid effort is under threat due to increasing insecurity. But with your support we can help. Oxfam are providing 500,000 people with clean water and sanitation facilities. We are also distributing basic necessities and spreading public health messages. This work is keeping people alive. But your support is needed to reach the thousands more people who desperately need our help. So today, Oxfam has launched a £5m aid appeal to sustain its life-saving work in Chad and Darfur. Your donation, no matter how big or small, could help the millions of people living in dangerous and desperate conditions. Make a donation >> posted at 10:21 AM | Permalink 0 comments

Oxfam Unwrapped camels arrive in their new home Remember when we went crazy for camels a while ago? They were one of the most popular gifts from Oxfam Unwrapped and now we've got the pictures to show just what a difference they've made in Somaliland. The camel distribution took place in Togdheer Region, Bil-ilweyso village. The programme is largely funded by Oxfam Unwrapped. Goats and Sheep and 13 Camels are given away to beneficiaries elected by the local community. It's a busy, happy and peaceful atmosphere but not a carnival. The camels differ in age and strength so a "camel lottery" is held. Each camel is numbered and each person picks a piece of numbered paper. This happens publicly in front of the village people so that there are no arguments afterwards. They all wait until the beneficiaries are back in place and then the numbers are read out to the whole community. Then they sign for their camel with a finger print and they go to the camel and take it home! A simple idea but brilliant. Comments from Ashar Abdillahi (below), recipient of Camel no 12. "I have 6 children – the oldest is 20, and this is Leila Hussein who is 5 months old. My husband is away, looking for new pastures, and so I am looking after the family. We have 80 sheep and goats, and this is our first camel. Having this camel will mean that we can now transport everything and move to new pastures. It also means that I will not have to carry water any more. I had to do this while I was pregnant, right up until Leila was born. This is a good camel. I am glad, thanks to all of you." More four-leeged freinds on Oxfam Unwrapped >> posted at 8:58 AM | Permalink 0 comments

Oxfam campaign with Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly Lucky Outreach campaigner, Sarah fills us in on her time at the Get Cape, Wear Cape, Fly gig at London’s The Forum in Kentish town: “Fantastic crowd with a great reception to the campaign, we collected loads of sign-ups throughout the night - covering everyone everywhere, from the foyer, to the bars, to the balconies. This positive reception may come as no surprise seen as Sam, the man behind GCWCF, has been heralded by some as a political artist, somewhat reminiscent of Billy Bragg. His short speeches between songs covered topics including child labour, the BNP, and Fair Trade - to which he had added a superb video backdrop filled with statistics and facts. Incredible. As Sam and his live band continue to climb the ladder of what is shaping up to be a very successful year, it is refreshing to see an artist of his age, genre and talent using his pull to share thoughts on issues that are of such importance to his crowd. Outreachers watched the performance from the front rows of the Balcony seats after circulating the crowd during opening acts The Dykeenies and Pull Tiger Tail. We eventually rolled out of the forum at around 11pm with the ‘ba da ba ba bas’ of the closing song still running round in our heads, and the feeling that we had just witnessed something very special indeed. Thanks for letting us be there!” Sign up to Outreach, for the chance to campaign with loads more great bands like this >> posted at 2:24 PM | Permalink 0 comments

Be an Oxfam 'friend' on MySpace and win CDs Oxfam GB has joined the ranks of social networking and created a MySpace page – world domination is nigh. And to celebrate our launch into the abyss we are giving away CDs by six of the hottest bands of 2007: Arcade Fire: Neon Bible The Horrors: Strange House The Hours: Narcissus Road Noisettes: What’s the time Mr.Wolf? Thirteen Senses: The Invitation Patrick Wolf: The Magic Position So, to be in with a chance of winning all six CDs, add Oxfam as your friend on MySpace by 30 May 2007 (all our existing friends will be entered as well!). Easy peasy. Unless of course, you are unaware of the MySpace phenomenon, which really is most simple. It’s a social networking site where you can listen to new music, meet new friends, correspond with existing friends, or just be very, very nosey. It is also a great way to find out about, and spread the word about good causes like Oxfam! So go to Oxfam GB on Myspace now >> Add Oxfam as your friend >> (requires MySpace account) Terms and conditions - Closing date is 12.00 pm, May 30 2007. - One entry per person. Minimum age: 16 years - No Oxfam employees or their relatives are eligible. - All prizes are non-transferable. No cash equivalents. - Oxfam will pick the winner at random from all entries submitted. An 'entry' is defined as adding Oxfam GB (Myspace user ID: oxfamgb) as a friend on the Myspace website by 12.00pm 30 May 2007. - Winner/s will be notified by e-mail to arrange delivery, and given 5 days to claim their prize. - In the event of unclaimed prizes, new winner/s will be selected 5 days after the initial closing date. - Prizes will be sent by first class post where appropriate. - A list of winners is available on request. - Your Myspace ID, e-mail address and contact details will be used for the purposes of this competition only and for the usual use as a Myspace 'friend', details and will not be stored by Oxfam for any other purpose. posted at 1:06 PM | Permalink 0 comments

Oxfam GB is a ltd company, reg in London No 612172, Oxfam House, John Smith Drive, Oxford OX4 2JY
Reg. charity No 202918. Oxfam GB is a member of Oxfam International
Oxfam GB Privacy Policy    |    Website Terms and Conditions