I am off to Sri Lanka in January to undertake a 1 year placement in VSO's mental health programme. I'm raising money to ensure they can continue their good work.

I've had a great time raising money so far - I've walked 100 miles  (90 miles on the High Weald Landscape Trail with my friend Alison & 10 miles with friends around Lewes). Thanks to all those who joined me! ALSO... a big big thanks to my very talented and generous friend Erin who kindly donated one of her beautiful pieces of art to help raise money. View her work here http://www.erinburns.com/

The fundraising evening at my local pub was a great success! We raised a huge sum of around £1700 on the night. THANK YOU SO SO MUCH to all those who made it such a great night, auctionned their time and skills, made cake, ate cake, autioneered, DJ'd, bought raffle tickets etc etc. Thanks too to the local business generous enough to donate raffle prizes - Falmer Sports complex, Sainsburys, Quaff, Fillets fish n chips, The Lectern.....and Moonstone, Sri Lankan restaurant in Hove!

Your donation will not go towards my personal overseas placement. Instead VSO decide where your money is most needed at the time, to maximise its effect. Your contribution could help send a doctor to set up healthcare services and save the lives of children and families who have no access to medical care. Or it could support an experienced head teacher to train local teachers and give a whole generation of children the skills they need to transform their lives.

Sri Lankan's have suffered a great deal during nearly 25 years of civil war which devastated the country a left an estimated 70,000 dead and many more displaced. The Tsunami of December 2004 further impacted on the people, their communities and livelihoods. It is no surprise then that a disproportinately high percentage of the population suffers from a mental health problem while Sri Lanka has the 7th highest suicide rate in the world. Yet there is a chronic lack of skilled personnel and services are limited, outdated and ineffective for recovery. VSO is working to support the development of services through policy change, implementation, education and training.

A BIT MORE ABOUT VSO 

VSO is an international development charity that works through volunteers. Instead of sending food or money, VSO sends skilled professionals to make a lasting difference. VSO volunteers work in partnership with colleagues and communities to share skills and learning to achieve positive change. By concentrating efforts in 44 of the world's poorest countries, VSO works towards a world without poverty in which people can reach their potential. So far VSO have sent of 40,000 volunteers of 94 nationalities to work in Africa, Asia, the Carribean, Latin America, the Pacific and eastern europe. There are currently around 1,500 volunteers working overseas. VSO helps to change other people's lives from improving healthcare in Cambodia to helping HIV+ women in Tanzania to set up their own business. VSO really does make a lasting difference to disadvantged communities around the world. 

Please give what you can to ensure that VSO continue such valuable work in future by raising funds. 

Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

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So please dig deep and donate now.