Stand up to the challenge

Sophie Haydock explains why she and her friends want to Stand Up Against Poverty.

''My friend Tessa has been organising several Oxjam events around Leeds. She obviously feels passionately about poverty and recognises the difference that can be made when people work together.'' ''My friend Emma has also seen the impact of poverty, even in developed countries (during her time in Paris she saw the division between rich and poor erupt in violence during riots).''

When I heard about Stand Up Against Poverty, I wondered how much impact standing up could ever really have. Standing-up... It's a funny idea. It's an integral part of what makes us human, yet it's one of those things in life we take so much for granted; we stand up whilst queuing for the bus, when going for a walk, and for the rare occasions when we do the washing up. For the guys out there you have the standing-up toilet advantage which will always leave us girls a little jealous.

Standing up is also a part of our language - we know the importance of standing up for ourselves and what we believe in. There it is again in music... Bob Marley sang Get Up Stand Up; a song that transcends all political and religious boundaries and which famously reminds us 'don't give up the fight'. For that reason it has become the anthem for Amnesty International.

But when it comes to making a persuasive and powerful point about our ideological beliefs; to demanding a major change in the way people think and behave; to bringing poverty to an end and changing lives for millions around the world - how much influence can standing up ever, really, have?

My friend Tessa has been organising several Oxjam events around Leeds. She obviously feels passionately about poverty and recognises the difference that can be made when people work together. I asked why she wanted to fundraise and join her generation in Making Poverty History.

She says fundraising for her is only a small way of contributing and she hopes organising big events and bringing in loads of money for Oxfam doesn't make her complacent about fighting poverty directly. Over the summer she spent time in Armenia volunteering in an orphanage and consequently doesn't want donating money to be the only way people involve themselves with bigger issues. She thinks Stand Up Against Poverty is the perfect chance for everyone to get involved, to meet likeminded people and do something active. This shows we're not powerless, that we're unified in the fight and ultimately that we continue to care.

My friend Emma has also seen the impact of poverty, even in developed countries (during her time in Paris she saw the division between rich and poor erupt in violence during riots). She thinks it's important to take action, not just talk about doing things, yet it's not always easy. "I'd like to say I'd done my best for those people who live in unimaginable poverty," she says. "But I feel I haven't always done enough to even the balance. I'd really like to change that. Standing up against poverty is definitely the first step in that direction." She adds with a laugh, "There's a Y at the end of poverty. So Y don't we put an end to it?"

If you're willing to stand up to the challenge, then dig out the wristband, grab a friend, and whether its rain or shine get out there and well, just... stand-up. I've realised how much impact that one simple gesture can have.