Executive director Andrew Chaggar, a survivor of the 2004 Asian tsunami, explained that rather than responding immediately, EDV will deploy once the dust has begun to settle. This lets the group identify areas which have not received sufficient aid and provide long term support to the communities that need it most.

“We go in as organisations which focus on more immediate need are starting to scale back their operations,” said Chaggar. “Our focus will be on reconstruction, education, and other projects that leave affected communities better able to cope with future challenges.”

Because EDV focuses on long term recovery and starts work after the chaotic and unsafe initial aftermath, the group is able to welcome anyone over the age of 18 to volunteer, regardless of specific skills and experience.

There is no form of participation fee when volunteering with EDV, but volunteers are expected to pay their own travel and living expenses, but as Media and Marketing director Emma Taylor points out, living costs in the affected regions are much lower than in the UK, so you don’t have to be rich or raise a huge sum of money to volunteer.

To donate directly to EDV’s Asia-Pacific Recovery Fund please go to http://www.edvolunteers.org/donate. All donations received between now and January 2010 will go directly to this fund. EDV aim to begin working abroad in early 2010. So please give generously.

For a PDF of EDV’s full appeal visit http://www.edvolunteers.org/sites/default/files/EDV_AP_Appeal_EU.pdf

To register to volunteer or learn more about EDV you can visit the “about EDV” and “volunteer” sections of EDV’s website.

You can also email media@euorpeandisastervolunteers.org with any questions.

You can sign up to the RSPCA’s campaign network and help Give Animals a Voice. They’ll email you around once a month to say what they’re up to and how you can help give animals a voice.

You can also get advice from the RSPCA about buying a puppy!

So do you know somebody who wants to take the plunge or perhaps you’re ready and willing to adopt the stylish, smooth and sleek look?

To volunteer to take part visit Capital Radio.

Bike Week promotes cycling as a source of fitness and fun for all the family and there are loads of amazing free activities across the country for anyone who likes to cycle – from novices to pros. Since Sport Relief is all about getting active, raising money and having fun – they make the perfect partnership.

All you need to do is take part in a Bike Week event and raise much-needed cash to change lives in the UK and across the world’s poorest countries.

In fact the money you raise could even pay for a bike that a carer in Africa needs to reach people who are incredibly sick and bedridden due to HIV/AIDS. By visiting them at home, the carer can give medication and practical support to those who are ill and make their lives far more comfortable in the process.

Find out how to get involved!

On one hand it does seem in poor taste to use this advert given the plight of the Burmese people, but on another it does act as a timely reminder about the current problem in that region? You can find out more about Christian Aid Week at their official site, where you can donate online.

Your help is needed urgently
Immediate needs are for shelter, clean water, food, and health care. In the cyclone-hit areas, communications are down and roads have been washed away, making it difficult to reach those who most need help.

How your donations will be used
The Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC), of which Oxfam is a member, is co-coordinating an emergency appeal to fund work across the region – providing cash support, technical expertise, and vital equipment.

Your donation will support these efforts and will allow DEC members, in conjunction with the UN and other agencies to respond to immediate needs, as well as help people as they recover from the cyclone. The DEC urgently need funds to be able to meet this challenge.

Please give whatever you can afford to help all of those suffering in Myanmar (Burma).

To donate by telephone please call Oxfam on: 0300 200 1999, or the DEC direct on: 0870 60 60 900. You can also donate online!

Watch our little clip below (you can even do your own featuring the voice of Katy Brand or Bill Bailey).

Donate To Actionaid!

Valentine’s is fast approaching and that means loads of flowers and chocolates will be sold. But did you know that you can also contribute to charity when buying your flowers!

For example Arena Flowers are supporting the British Heart Foundation’s Valentine’s Appeal and donating a pound on selected bouquets and chocolates.

The products that carry a donation to the BHF appeal are:

• Fifty Red Tulips Gift Wrap
• Fifty White Tulips Gift Wrap
• Fifty Pink Tulip Gift Wrap
• Tulips Sensation Bouquet
• Large Heart of Chocolates
• Heart of Chocolates

You can find out more about this year’s BHF Valentine appeal, plus find other Valentine gift ideas, at their website!

As well as email you can download Poppy wallpaper to your mobile! Text ‘Poppy’ to 85552 and donate £1.50 to the Poppy Appeal. This is suitable for WAP phones only. Details are available here. If you’re a Facebook user then you can also add the Facebook Poppies App. Don’t forget to share it with your Facebook friends.

Tori White has also recorded a song ‘Please Remember’ and 50p from each sale of the song will be donated to The Poppy Appeal.

You can buy ‘Please Remember’ at Mbop Megastore.