WIREDGOV

VSO was voted Charity of the Year last night at Dod’s Charity Champion awards. Nominated and voted for exclusively by British Parliamentarians, VSO was hailed most effective charity of 2009.

The annual awards are designed to highlight the impact MPs and Peers can have on charitable causes but also give recognition to charities that have made a significant impact this year. Over one hundred MPs voted in the awards, with VSO gaining the overwhelming majority.

Baroness Warwick nominated VSO after spending two weeks volunteering with VSO in Nigeria as part of VSO’s Parliamentarian Volunteering Programme.  She said:

“VSO has a huge impact. Since it started in 1958, it has sent over 40,000 volunteers to 120 countries, sharing skills and leaving a high-impact legacy. However its impact is not limited to overseas and volunteers return with renewed passion, skills and a fresh outlook.  I saw first hand how VSO not only tackles poverty and injustice but also builds social cohesion and tolerance here in the UK through its network of supporters and advocates.”

Marg Mayne, VSO’s Chief Executive said:

“We are absolutely delighted to win this award and it follows hot on the success of our recent campaign Help Women Help the World, where we led the fight to create a dedicated UN women’s agency.  Engaging with parliamentarians is crucial to such success and so far 21 MPs and Peers from all parties have volunteered with us as part of our dedicated Parliamentarian Volunteering Programme. Thanks to everyone who voted for us. “

VSO beat competition from Blue Sky and Grandparent Plus to win the award.

For more information or to arrange an interview with Marg Mayne, VSO’s Chief Executive please contact Louise Hill on 0208 780 7410 or email louise.hill@vso.org.uk

Editor's notes

      VSO’s Parliamentarian Volunteering Programme will be running again in the future

      MPs who participated in the Parliamentarian Volunteering Programme include Hilary Armstrong – Labour, north west Durham; Tony Baldry – Conservative, north Oxfordshire; Jim Fitzpatrick – Labour, Poplar and Canning Town; Julia Goldsworthy – Lib Dem, Falmouth and Camborne; Keith Hill – Labour, Streatham; Sadiq Khan – Labour, Tooting; Susan Kramer – Lib Dem, Richmond Park; Angus MacNeil – SNP, Western Isles; Laura Moffat – Labour, Crawley; Sarah Teather – Lib Dem, Brent East; Jenny Willott – Lib Dem, Cardiff Central; Tony Baldry – Conservative, Banbury; Roger Gale – Conservative, North Thanet; Sharon Hodgson – Labour, Gateshead East and Washington West; Baroness Jay of Paddington – Labour; Andy Love – Labour/Co-op, Edmonton;John Mann – Labour, Bassetlaw; Baroness Warwick of Undercliffe – Labour; Judy Mallaber – Labour, Amber Valley; Gillian Merron – Labour, Lincoln; Kerry McCarthy – Labour, Bristol East;

      To find out more about getting involved with VSO, either as a volunteer or within your own community, visit www.vso.org.uk

      VSO covers the costs of flights, accommodation, and health insurance for all volunteers. Parliamentarians will receive the standard VSO volunteer allowance, which is a modest amount to cover daily needs. This differs by country but is generally around £25-50 per week.

      VSO recruits volunteers from a wide range of professional backgrounds.  The strongest need is for experienced managers, professionals with experience of working in primary education, and doctors and midwives.  VSO can use financial professionals where they have strong planning or management expertise.