You make us who we are

Congratulations on your forthcoming "big 75", I celebrated mine in January. These words from a song I remember as a child say it all! 'If I can help somebody as I journey on, then my living has not been in vain'

Jeffrey Smith

Over the years, I've become more aware of the work Oxfam does in actually preventing poverty. You've come up with some amazing ways to help communities farm better and access clean water. The latest initiative involving pig poo has made me chuckle but has underlined the fact that something so small and on the surface, useless- the pig poo- can actually be put to such effective use. Celebrate 75 years of change and hope you won't be here in 75 years time because poverty will be eradicated!

Jane Dawson

My mum used to collect a shilling a week and keep all the money in a purse in our bureau. I remember watching her count it all out and ticking people's names off her list when I was very young- this would be in the early 1960's. It all seemed very romantic to me as a child- thinking that my mum's efforts were helping people in far-off countries. Oxfam was the first charity I was aware of when I was a child. I am very happy to carry on the family tradition!

David Hickling

I trust Oxfam to get help to people who need it throughout the world. I may not be rich, but I want to share some of my wealth with people who are poor. My sisters and I enjoy hunting for bargains in charity shops, including Oxfam, and my brother-in-law works in one of your shops. We have to keep on trying to change the world- bit by bit.

Suzanne Dacey

I am the child of 2 immigrants (Irish and Ugnadan). My grandad desperately sought work, but no matter what his employment he always volunteered in our local Oxfam shop, something which he continued to do well into his retirement. I believe all people deserve good things and in turn must give back. I think that I am very lucky in life & wish to bestow this luck and lust for life upon others. We MUST stand up for those who cannot stand up for themselves!

Anonymous

As a teenager, I remember first finding out about fairtrade and buying Cafedirect for my parents from the Oxfam shop. In my 20's, I volunteered as an Oxfam steward at Glastonbury Festival; a great opportunity to help while having a new experience myself. In my 30's, I took part in Trailwalker along with my sister and two good friends. An amazing challenge. I regularly shop for cards and gifts in Oxfam shops and hope to keep supporting Oxfam's brilliant work for many more decades.

Liz Hayes

I was born in India, so have seen poverty close up. My own family, while not poor, were not able to buy everything that myself and my siblings wanted. When I came to the UK in 2001 and started working, I knew I wanted to give a regular contribution to a charity that helped poor countries in addition to the financial help that I give to the poor people in my local area in Kerald. I know Oxfam, even before coming to the UK, and think that the work they do is fabulous.

Joju Purathur

I grew up in what I refer to as the "Dark Ages" of the 1940's/1950's in England. With a mother who became a widow when I was 5 years old. We had very little and my mother duly became mentally ill. I was alone by the age of 16yrs, and fending for myself in "bed-sit land". Having worked for a number of years I then became unemployed for a period of 5 years. It was during that time, again of shortage, that I realised that I would like to be able to feed other people. So when I found work I "signed up" with Oxfam and am still glad to be able to do it.

Patricia Kettle

I believe in making donations to Oxfam. I am unemployed and on benefits so most of my donations will be of a modest amount. Nevertheless it will all help out. We have got two hands, one hand to look after ourselves and another hand to look after others, and the donations are always appreciated.

Philip Corr

I am inspired to be part of the Oxfam family, because I want to see an end to suffering in today’s world, and I want everyone to have access to clean water and toilets. I also want to see an end to hunger... My future hopes for this unstoppable movement of passionate people are that it grows, and involves everyone.

David Harrison

When we were young, eight of us in our family, Dad impressed on us the importance of helping less fortunate people than ourselves, although we didn’t have wealth, we never went hungry, we were forbade to waste any food, when so many in the world starved, dad also sent any money he could to poor children, these ethics have remained with me today, and I do not waste anything, and will help whenever I can. Oxfam is so worthy and helps so many people worldwide, I am proud to be a member.

Marie Peel

My parents supported Oxfam. They rate Oxfam very highly, knowing volunteers. Oxfam is an aspirational... they are very realistic too. Where water is scarce Oxfam help people to build deep compost toilets using and other ways to neutralise human waste. Oxfam have helped people in so many ways. Toilets which don't use water are essential but training people to maintain equipment such as water pumps which are sustainable and repairable is vital and I am cheered by reading how people are being helped AND trained. Oxfam are so positive and I'm so grateful to all the volunteers. Thank you all!

Beatrice Godsalve

I have supported Oxfam for most of my adult life, and take the view that as an ordinary person I am reaching out to help other ordinary people who just don't have the same opportunities. Who knows when we will need help, I hope others will reach out to me when I need help, what goes around comes around.

Judith Moran

My mother sent regular donations to Oxfam which I remember from my childhood. Maybe that is the reason I started giving, which is a long time as I am now retired. I always remind myself how lucky we are in the Western World with all the basics of life which are taken for granted. That is why I try to do a little to help people who have very little but who are so happy with the simplest things and who strive to improve life for their family.

Marie Wright

I think I've been an Oxfam supporter for most of my working life. I've always felt lucky to be able to keep myself and have enough to eat. It seems wrong not to try to help less fortunate people. I like Oxfam's partnerships with those in poorer countries and the projects which enable people to earn a living. I hope, that in time to come, the governments of more countries will learn to distribute wealth so that many more people will be able to live with dignity and contentment.

Diana Evans