"Love Makes the World Go Round" Charity #9 -
UNSEEN (UK) to fight Sex Trafficking
This really is a worthwhile cause so please read on to make a massive difference in the lives of trafficked victims. According to Unseen ( http://www.unseenuk.org/):
1) Human Trafficking is the fastest growing form of International Crime and is now the second largest illegal trade in the world.
2) It is estimated that 600-800,000 people are trafficked across international borders every year.
3) Human Trafficking is the modern day Slave Trade and must be stopped.

You may not have a lot of money or time to help with causes such as this, but there is something SO simple you can do with any unwanted Valentine's gifts (or any gifts) this year....create a 'care package' for survivors of trafficking containing toiletries, pyjamas and clothes. Please contact info@unseenuk.org if you'd like to assist and also see
http://www.unseenuk.org/content/what-you-can-do for other things you can do to help xox

"Love Makes the World go Round" Charity #8 - Gresham College
Not strictly a 'charity', more a 'cause', Gresham College has been holding free lectures around London for 400 years! They receive no money from the government and are mainly funded by generous trustees who see the importance of the work they do

It is commonly said that 'knowledge is power' and the immense priviledge we have in this country of recieving free education should never be underestimated. If you can't afford to donate to the college, simply look up their epic list of forthcoming lectures on their website:
http://www.gresham.ac.uk/
For me, a particular 'Valentine' related lecture is the one on 21st Feb entitled "Whatever Turns You On..."
http://www.gresham.ac.uk/lectures-and-events/whatever-turns-you-on
but there are many other topics including Divinity, Astronomy and Music. Check them out xox

"Love Makes the World go Round" Charity #7 - Organ Donation (NHSBT)
According to their statistic, only 29% of us have actually registered as an organ donor, yet when asked nearly 100% of us say we would happily recieve an organ if we needed it! It may not be the most cheerful of topics but if you feel strongly about it you must remember to opt IN to the system. Unlike some other European countries, we don't have an opt OUT system

Maybe this is the one instance where it seems like it's not better to give than to receive, but it's best to be prepared for any eventuality....
Get yourself on the register at http://www.organdonation.nhs.uk/ukt/

"Love Makes the World go Round" Charity #6 - The Eve Appeal

For some people, sexy underwear is a must at this time of year, but do we really stop and think about the bits we put inside the underwear and how much care they need? Recent high profile cervical cancer cases are creating awareness of the need to diagnose these illnesses early, but more still needs to be done : 7,500 women a year die in the UK alone. The Eve Appeal funds vital research to develop better methods of prediction, detection, treatment and care of all gynaecological cancers and is a worthwhile fund to donate to: http://www.eveappeal.org.uk/

If you’d like to be more actively involved, March 2012 is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month and there is a new campaign being launched: “Make Time For Tea”. Keep checking this blog as I will be organising a few ‘chariTEAS’ this year, and Eve will definitely be one of them J

http://www.eveappeal.org.uk/media-centre/make-time-for-tea/

"Love Makes the World go Round" Charity #5 - Present Aid
This one's fairly self explanatory... Do we really need to buy each other crotchless knickers, red furry handcuffs and pasta shaped like penises this Valentine's Day? Especially when there are people out there who could do so much more with the same amount of money...

Go to their website and donate instead - http://www.presentaid.org/ and you'll be able to reap the benefits of knowing you did a fantastic thing for someone who really needs it. And if you'r partner doesn't appreciate that, I suggest trading them in for someone less selfish :) xox

"Love Makes the World go Round" Charity #4 - Guerilla Gardening
Instead of buying flowers for a loved one this Valentine's day, why not plant some foliage in a place that really needs it? At least it won't be dry and dessicated within a few days like a shop-bought bunch would be. That's what the philosophy of Guerilla Gardening is all about: planting flowers in urban areas under the cover of night (balaclava optional..?)

If you don't have time to join a troop yourself , then you can make a donation or buy gifts (like lavender pillows) to fund the cause here: http://www.guerrillagardening.org/ xox

"Love Makes the World go Round"Charity #3 - The Orchid Project

When you head to the salon to get your bikini wax and beautify yourself for Valentine’s Day, think about the women in places such as Africa, The Middle East, Yemen, Oman, Asia, Malaysia and Indonesia who are still forced to undergo Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C) There are charities, such as The Orchid Project, which raise money and awareness about this barbaric procedure - one that is becoming increasingly common in the UK. Donate to put an end to Female Genital Mutilation and see how you can get involved with the cause at http://www.orchidproject.org/

Also, you still have time to get involved (or should that be in-'vulved') with the fantastic 'Embroidries Project' spearheaded by the Shoreditch Sisters Branch of the Women's Institute: http://embroideriescampaign.org.uk/index.html xox

"Love Makes the World go Round" Charity #2 -
Craftivist Collective

Every year, the Craftivist Collective hijacks Valentine’s Day to remind people to “show some love” to their global neighbours. All you have to do is print out the template letter, make the key ring which was designed by cult jeweller Tatty Devine, and add a ‘love-heart’ sweet. (All info is on their website - http://craftivist-collective.com/ )

Then hide it somewhere subvert but out in public and spread the love. Go on!! You’ve got nearly 2 weeks! Take a pic of where you placed it and send it to the Craftivist Collective, and see how many we can get this year.

PS - London craftivists are meeting Thursday 6pm to 9pm 9th February in Fabrications craft shop open studio (7 Broadway Market, Hackney). All are welcome to come for the whole time or just drop in for a cuppa tea, biscuit and to make as many as you can. We are encouraging people to give a donation of £5 to cover costs.

Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/events/286462724746662/?context=create

"Love Makes the World go Round" Charity #1 - WOZA (Women of Zimbabwe Arise)

Since its formation in 2003, members of womens rights organisation WOZA have been repeatedly harassed by Zimbabwean authorities for speaking out about social, economic and human rights injustices. Every year, on Valentine's day, they march - and roses have been handed out at these marches since 2005. Here in London I understand there is a demonstration organised for Feb 14th (12-2pm) outside the Zimbabwean Embassy (426 The Strand - nearest station Charing Cross). It is planned that roses will be hand delivered to the embassy on the day and possibly there will also be a petition to sign.

If you can't make the demo, please use the link to the WOZA action sheet to carry out 2 important tasks:
1) Send a rose to the Zimbabwean Embassy in London
2) Write to the Zimbabwean deputy Comissioner general.
Link to pdf is:
http://www.amnesty.org.uk/uploads/documents/doc_22278.pdf
Link to Amnesty UK info is:
http://www.amnesty.org.uk/content.asp?CategoryID=10046

"Love Makes the World go Round": 14 day Charity Countdown

Valentine’s Day is traditionally the day we declare our love to our partners or the people we’re admiring from afar. For me, Valentine’s Day has never been limited to just that – I send messages to members of my family to show I’m thinking of them, and I spend the evening in with girlfriends, watching kitsch movies, eating chocolates and drinking pink fizz. It has become more commercial over the years, so I think it’s time to strip it back to its basic message of love and remove all the trappings. This year I’ve organised an event on the 14^th Feb to help raise awareness of heart health and raise money for the British Heart Foundation. That got me thinking….what other ‘relevant’ charities are there that people could be made aware of at this time of year? And it also fits in with my plan to organise more ‘ChariTEAs’ this year…

From my days in Amnesty International and my recent involvement in other campaigns, I decided to compile a list of my most worthy charities loosely connected to Valentine’s day in a 14 Day countdown extravaganza called ‘Love Makes The World Go Round’. So if you agree with what I’m doing, then please re-post the basic details and take the time to check out the more in-depth information on my blog as I post the charities daily. Thanks!J