VSO is an international development organisation that fights poverty through volunteering. Skilled professionals are sent to work with communities worldwide, sharing knowledge and expertise. This saves lives and creates change by giving opportunities to people in poverty. Most importantly, this change continues long after the volunteer has returned home because local people are left empowered to lift themselves out of poverty. It is a lasting solution to fight poverty.

Every day, more than 800 women worldwide die in pregnacy and childbirth. I have volunteered with VSO twice, in Cambodia and in South Sudan, helping to find sustainable ways to reduce these premature and preventable deaths of mothers. So I now want to give something back to VSO.

I’m asking you to work with me. I am setting myself a challenge for which I’m seeking your sponsorship to raise money for VSO. In April 2014 I shall attempt to ski to the North Pole.

Every penny of sponsorship will go to VSO, with more from Gift Aid for donations from UK tax payers. Or sponsorship could be about doing things to help me raise money for VSO, rather than simply donating - just get in touch.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they send your money directly to VSO. This saves time and cuts costs for VSO.