Concern Worldwide has launched an emergency response to the avalanches in Afghanistan that has killed at least 43 people in the Badakhshan province. An entire village has been buried in 10 feet of snow, with another 60 people or more believed to be injured.

With many people now trapped in their homes, Concern staff are going to struggle to reach them with many main roads cut off, placing whole communities at severe risk. Aid workers are now helping clear the roads of snow in 30 villages, whilst offering cold weather kits and warm clothing.

Concern’s regional director for Asia, Lucia Ennis, said -

People are in need of food, fuel, winter clothing and fodder for their animals. Concern is purchasing essential supplies locally in Kabul and deploying them to the emergency area.

Afghanistan winters are some of the most treacherous on the planet, with the wild mountainous terrain making avalanches a yearly occurrence. Concern are now responding to the immediate needs of the 30,000 people effected, with plans now in place to provide training to communities on the importance of disaster preparation.

Hopefully this will help communities when future avalanches hit, but in the meantime, it’s the people who are in danger now who must be of paramount concern.

Help Concern Worldwide with a Charity Gift

A great way to support Concern’s work on the ground is to purchase a Concern Gift for a friend or loved one. With presents to suit every taste and budget you can be certain of finding the perfect gift, like -

• cute piglet for £7
• vegetable pack at £28
• malaria tablets for £21

You can rest assured that every penny spent will be translated into real and lasting support for the world’s poor. By purchasing a Concern Worldwide virtual charity gift, not only will you be helping to raise funds for the world’s poorest farmers, but also giving a voice to the millions across the globe who need to be heard.

It’s the gift that keeps on giving…

> > Click here to shop online with Concern Worldwide

Other top charity gifts

WWF UK still have a few places left on their team to run the Reading Half Marathon on Sunday 1st April 2012. This is one of the UK’s most popular runs, starting at Green Park Business Park and finishing at Reading’s Madejski Stadium, you can almost smell the glory!

All WWF Reading registrants will receive a free bag of goodies worth £35, including -

• WWF drawstring bag
• Save Wild Animals boxset (including toy)
• WWF Water bottle
• Pack of WWF postcards
• Badge
• Magnet
• Window sticker

There’s still plenty of time to train, so if you would like to sign up, simply click on the link at the bottom of this post before 24th February 2012 to complete the online application form.

Joining the team will raise much needed funds and awareness for the WWF cause, helping to tackle the most serious environmental challenges facing the planet and letting nature thrive.

> > Click here for online application

Help WWF Sponsor An Acre

The WWF and Sky have combined to create the Adopt an Acre programme, which helps you to protect and conserve the habitat of thousands of species of animals. Adopt An Acre and your regular donation combined with Sky’s Rainforest Rescue matched funding can help to halt any unnecessary destruction of rainforests across the globe, and you will also receive -

• Gift certificate to print or email
• Gift pack including information booklet, greetings card and poster
• Updates about the project
• A mountain ash tree sapling (optional)

> > Click here to Adopt an Acre with WWF

Staff at the National Trust will be celebrating Leap Year this month by donating their time to volunteer for the day in their local communities. More than 5,000 of their employees will use the extra day on Wednesday 29th February 2012 to celebrate the importance of volunteering and support more than 62,000 volunteers who give up their time every day.

The ‘Local Leap’ was first started four years ago when National Trust staff were given the extra day off to make green improvements at home. This saw a debate about who actually ‘owns’ the extra day that crops up every four years, and so the ‘Local Leap’ was born!

Director-General of the National Trust, Fiona Reynolds, said -

The Trust knows first-hand how important volunteering is. We simply couldn’t function without our 62,000 volunteers. Through Local Leap we want to get to know our local communities even better, and build new relationships into the future. As anyone who volunteers knows, it is a hugely rewarding experience, and I hope Local Leap will encourage others to volunteer anywhere in the country.

Volunteering activities include tskas such as tree planting, decorating schools, helping charities and developing local campaigns to save a derelict building. The Local Leap also marks the centenary year of the death of Octavia Hill, one of the National Trust’s founder members

Chief Executive of Community Service Volunteers, Lucy de Groot, said -

Leap Day is the perfect time to make a difference in our communities and give our own lives greater purpose. There’s no better way to do this than by volunteering, and in these uncertain times the need is greater than ever. The National Trust’s Local Leap Day builds on a proud history of volunteering. It also could be the start of many long lasting relationships for first time volunteers.

Help The National Trust with a Membership

Enjoy unlimited entry to hundreds of historic houses, beautiful gardens and country parks. The National Trust cares for over 300 historic houses, 700 miles of coastline and over 600,000 acres of countryside making them Britain’s largest conservation charity. With your membership, you will receive -

• 3 Months FREE*
• Online Only FREE pair of National Trust binoculars.
• FREE entry and car parking at UK National Trust locations
• FREE National Trust Magazine and newsletter three times a year

> > Click here to order National Trust membership

If you’re a bit stuck for a unique present this Valentine to give that special someone in your life (I know I am!), why not treat them to a unique virtual charity gift from Gifts in Action? This is totally different from the usual chocolates and flowers that most people send, and will definitely last longer!

By purchasing a charity gift from Action Aid UK, you will be helping poor communities to a better life thanks to your donation. Plus, if you’re leaving it till the last minute, their interactive E-Cards can be delivered instantly to your loved one via email . This last minute charity gift idea not only ensures that you will be giving a present that is thoughtful, but also ensure that your dinner doesn’t end up in the dog!

A gift such as a community garden costs just £29, and look at what it provides for a family in Guatemala -

So why not treat that special someone in your life to something different this Valentine’s with a charity gift Action Aid. Not only will you be offering up something unusual and unique as a gift, but you’ll also be helping less fortunate people across the world overcome poverty.

> > Click here to shop with Gifts in Action

Be different this Valentine’s Day and choose from a wide range of unique gifts from Concern Worldwide that show you care in more ways than one. You can give a charity gift that will last long after those flowers have withered!

Concern work with local communities in 25 countries worldwide, helping to provide food, clean water, health care and education thanks to the funds raised through their virtual presents.

Here are just some examples of what you can give this Valentine’s Day -

• For someone sweet …that you hold dear
  £15 could purchase 500 pineapple plants – these nutritious pineapples can be eaten or sold to pay for food, education or other household expenses. This is exactly what Mubiru from Uganda has done, with Concern’s help, to feed her children.

• Help love grow …into something healthy
  In the developing world being able to grow your own veg can make a real difference between health and illness. You could buy a vegetable pack for just £33 which makes an ideal gift for someone who’s into gardening or prefers a veggie diet.

• Keep the fire alive …with a fuel-efficient eco stove
  If you want to impress someone who likes cooking this is the gift for you! For £22 the eco stove is sustainable, easily built from local materials and you could help women and children in Darfur where collecting firewood can mean risking your life.

For more gifts that make a real difference, simply click on the link below to check out the amazing selection from Concern Worldwide. The perfect present for that special someone this Valentine’s Day, as…

it’s the gift that keeps on giving.

> > Click here to order with Concern Worldwide

If you’re a bit stuck for what to do this Valentine’s Day, why not give the packed and overpriced restaurants a miss this year and try out these awesome recipes at home with Oxfam Unwrapped?

With every man and his dog (no pun intended!) out on Valentine’s Day, why not show that special someone in your life that you really care with a delicious home cooked meal? Simply click on the link at the bottom of this post to find out the ingredients and method on how to cook this awesome vegetarian menu from Oxfam Unwrapped -

• Starter – Medu Vada
• Main – Aubergine with Walnut Stuffing
• Sweet – Baklava

I love Baklava!! The menu has a mix of Indian and Turkish cuisine, and is a sure fire hit this Valentine’s. Add a bottle of plonk, a couple of candles and a bit of Kenny G in the background, and you’re guaranteed a great night of food and romance!

Help Oxfam UK with a Charity Gift

You can help raise funds with Oxfam Unwrapped, where you can purchase virtual charity presents which make ideal and unusual gift for a loved one.

From as little as £6 you could provide 100 school dinners for children in Brazil, or for £95 you can purchase a camel for a village in the Sudan! A charity gift is a great way to put something back into the world whilst also giving your friends and family a real conversation starter.

> > Click here purchase a gift from Oxfam Unwrapped

Love is in the air this month, and also snow, quite is a tad annoying! With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, why not treat that special someone in your life to a present from the Cancer Research Gift Shop?

There’s loads of charity gift ideas to choose from, so there’s bound to be something for everyone, though I’m not sure how many brownie point’s you’ll get for a heart shaped bucket! Choose from -

• Flowers (including free delivery)
• Valentine decorations
• Love heart money bank
• Heart water bottle
• Love heart bathroom set
• Plus many more…

By ordering your flowers through Cancer Research, 20% off your order will be donated to the health charity, plus free delivery. And please remember, a heart shaped bucket could be a reason for divorce!

Simply click on the link below to make the most of these awesome Valentine gift ideas, and help raise much needed funds for Cancer Research in their battle to treat and stop this killer disease.

> > Click here to shop at Cancer Research Shop

Oxfam Ethical Shop has an amazing range of second hand clothing available, with up to 40,000 awesome items to choose from at rock bottom prices. Every item available will be unique, and with so many different styles and designs to choose from, you’re sure to find a great new outfit to wear at a fraction of the original retail price.

There’s a whole host of designer names to look out for, including -

• Laura Ashley
• Ted Baker
• Jaeger
• Gap
• Hugo Boss
• Ralph Lauren
• Calvin Klein

As you can see from the labels above this isn’t some bring and buy sale tat that’s being sold, it’s some of the biggest designer names on the planet!
All products are donated by supporters from across the country, with every very penny raised going towards raising much needed funds to support Oxfam.

Simply click on the link below to discover a veritable treasure trove of fantastic clothing bargains today, and help Oxfam make a difference to people’s life’s across the globe. Your donations really do count.

> > Click here to browse the Oxfam Second Hand Shop

There’s a massive sale at the Cancer Research Gift Shop, with a whopping 30% off  their entire range of high street fashion at affordable prices. There’s a whole host of items to choose from at costs to suit any budget, with discounts across a whole host of -

• Skirts
• Dresses
• Jeans
• T-shirts
• Kid’s wear

Plus there’s a selection of ‘top picks’ chosen by the team to highlight what they think is the real cream of the crop. It’s all discounted, and there’s treasure in them there hills!

Simply click on the link below to make the most of these awesome 30% discounts, and help raise much needed funds for the health charity in their battle to treat and stop Cancer.

> > Click here to shop at Cancer Research Shop

Oxfam Ethical Shop is pleased to announce their latest range of ethical products for 2012, with a wide range of to choose from that will make a real difference to the lives of those living in poverty. With Spring just around the corner, now is a great time to stock up on a selection of Mother’s Day and Valentine’s gifts, plus Fairtrade Easter presents, including -

• Sari Patches
• Divine Mini Eggs
• Bunny Lollipops
• Mother’s Day Cards
• Valentines Day

As you can see, Oxfam have really pulled out all the stops this year to ensure you have a fabulous selection of charity gift ideas to choose from. Anyone who bought me a chocolate bunny lollipop for Valentine’s would certainly be onto a winner, they look delicious!

Remember, 100% of profits on Ethical gifts from Oxfam help people that are living in poverty, so for each purchase you make you are providing much needed funds for those that need it the most.

> > Click here to shop at Oxfam Ethical Store