Meet a Regional Co-ordinator

Being a Regional Co-ordinator for Send a Cow gives me a huge amount of satisfaction. I feel it has given me the chance to use some of my strengths to help others. I get to meet lots of interesting people, visit interesting places, use my creative skills and speak to all age ranges and all kinds of people.

I first read about Send a Cow when it was a Christmas Appeal charity in a newspaper in 1999. I was immediately struck by the common-sense approach and great cost-effectiveness of the work. I set up a regular donation and as I learned more about the charity over the next few years Send a Cow really stood out head and shoulders for me above the other charities I was supporting. Having spent time in Africa as a student I was aware of some of the many challenges facing charities working there. I really believe it is the most down-to-earth, effective and life-changing charity I have ever come across.

In 2004, having taken stock of my life, I realised that I wanted to do more to help people in need. I work as a doctor in an Accident and Emergency department, but I also wanted the chance to put some of the other skills I had to good use to benefit others. I approached Send a Cow to ask if I could become an Ambassador for the charity and it is one of the best things I have ever done!

I am now the Regional Co-ordinator for the North East and I support a small team of volunteers who give talks and fundraise for Send a Cow. I keep in touch with people by phone or email to see how they are getting on and encourage us to meet twice a year. We also work together on one or two fundraising events or shows each year. This helps us get to know one another better and it means that we can put on events which would be too big for one person.

My highlight as a volunteer for Send a Cow was visiting the projects in Rwanda in 2006. I wouldn’t have missed this experience for the world as it gave me a personal connection with Send a Cow’s work, its African staff and its beneficiaries. I’ve recently become a Mum, but I plan to continue volunteering for Send a Cow. It has given me a renewed passion for helping families in Africa to give their children a better start in life.