This will now provide far greater safety in garment factories in Bangladesh, as well as -

• The right to refuse dangerous work
• Independent building inspections
• Health and safety training
• Repairs to unsafe factories

Unfortunately, they are the only two Australian companies to have signed, so more work needs to be done to convince more brands to get involved with this worthwhile scheme.

Oxfam Australia Labour Rights Coordinator, Daisy Gardener, said -

Cotton On, Big W and other Australian companies sourcing clothing from Bangladesh need to show they care about the workers who produce their clothing by immediately signing the Accord. Since 2005, 1800 people have lost their lives in factory fires and building collapses in Bangladesh. These clothing companies have the power to help prevent these tragedies, and must exercise this power now before more lives are lost.

Here’s hoping that Oxfam Australia can continue to work with our countries brands to reveal the locations of their supplier factories, so that the working conditions can be verified for danger, help save the lives of the workers of Bangladesh.

If you would like to help raise much needed funds for Oxfam Australia, why not purchase a charity gift from our online page. There’s loads to choose from, and they go a long way to helping people who really require our assistance.

There’s loads of amazing gifts to choose from, plus for a limited time you can still receive a free jar of delicious hazelnut and chocolate spread with each order. Find out more about this free offer here. These offers are only available when you order online before the end of Sunday 30th June 2013, with savings that include -

• 50% off cushions
• 50% off accessories
• 60% off vases
• 60% off table wear
• 65% off photo frames
• 65% off candles

plus many more items at this great charity gift extravaganza. An Oxfam Fair Trade item offers a worker in a poor community a fair days wage for a fair days work, and the chance to sell their products on the world market. So why not take advantage of these great discounts, and pick up a free jar of sumptuous chocolate spread too. Only available online with Oxfam Australia.

> > Click here to shop online

If you would like to help UNICEF Australia put an end to polio, why not do so in the funnest way possible? Their amazing well organised Football Aid 2013 is just around the corner, and they want YOU and your work colleagues to star in the tournament.

The event is sponsored by Qantas, Adidas and Fox Sports, and will feature 32 corporate teams taking part in a Mini 7 a Side World Cup to help raise funds for UNICEF’s global immunisation program. There be competitions and prizes all day, in what is sure to be a really great fundraising event.

The events will take place on Sunday 13th October in Melbourne, and Friday 18th October in Sydney. Here’s a quick breakdown of how it works -

• $75 per player registration fee (non-refundable)
• Maximum of 15 players
• Each team have at least 4 games
• Two 12-minute halves
• $8000 per team fundraising entry

There’s a minimum of 10 players per team, so that’s $800 sponsorship per player if you take the lowest amount of players you. Obviously, with more players the sponsorship price comes down, but what a great team building exercise this would be for you and your colleagues, and a great way to help UNICEF Australia to fight polio.

Simply click on the link below to register your interest in what is sure to be an amazing day of fun, football, and fundraising. Game on!

> > Click here to register your team

If this is a little out of your budget, why not pick up a UNICEF virtual charity gift from our dedicated online page? Prices start from just $10, and make a great present for a friend or loved one.

Though Coca-Cola have been reported as saying they had no hand in the pulling of the advert, it still doesn’t change the fact that they are fighting the ‘Cash for Containers’ recycling scheme that will help to protect the many birds that die every year due to swallowing plastic pieces from drink bottles.

The advert was deemed ‘too offensive’ to be broadcast, but if you have a look at the video below, you will see that it is hardly near the knuckle stuff. Since Channel 9 pulled the plug, SBS and Channel 7 have also stopped the advert from airing.

Check out the advert yourself and see what you think -

As you can see, it’s may be quite confrontational, but it’s far from ‘offensive’. That is why Greenpeace are trying to get as many people as possible to view the advert online so they can see what all the fuss (or lack of it!) is about.

Coca-Cola’s stance against the Cash for Containers scheme is strange, and Greenpeace CEO David Ritter joined the ‘Clean Up Australia’ chairman Ian Kiernan and Total Environments chief Jeff Angel to hammer their point home. They were turned away from Coca-Cola’s Sydney HQ by police as they went to hand over 4,000 drink containers.

Jeff Angel said -

We were trying to say to Coke ‘here are 4000 of your containers collected on Clean Up Australia day. Coke’s opposition to a container deposit scheme allows this littering to continue.

If you would like to learn more about the work of Greenpeace, and how you can help provide much needed funds, please check out our dedicated charity page to find out more about this amazing charities fight to save the planet from destruction.

UNICEF Australia ran an advertising campaign that featured television presenter Carrie Bickmore to help the fight against maternal and neo-natal tetanus, and are quite staggered by the amazing response. Each vaccine may only cost $2, but in many countries even this small amount is a step too far. Thanks to the generosity of the Australian people, $6,600 vaccines were purchased for Mother’s Day this year, which is a total of 3,300 lifesaving injections.

This amazing total allowed UNICEF to eliminate more than 50% of the priority countries that needed urgent vaccination programs. Tetanus jabs for us are just a normal way of life, but in some poor countries, this disease kills one newborn baby every nine minutes. The disease is transmitted due to children being born unhygienic conditions. If the umbilical cord is cut using non sterilised equipment, then the disease can be passed, and without the vaccine, the chances of survival are slim.

In the last 14 years over 118 million women have been vaccinated against tetanus, yet more still require the injections as soon as possible. There are still 28 priority countries left that need tetanus injections immediately, so the job is only half done. Let’s hope more people can help to transform the lives of those less fortunate, and take a leaf from the people of Australia’s amazing Mother’s Day response to help save children’s lives.

If you would like to learn more about the work of UNICEF, check out our dedicated charity page for further information on how you can help save children’s lives across the globe.

 Photo by Jim Holmes of UNICEF

As long as you order your Fair Trade goodies by Sunday 30th June 2013 and the delivery is being shipped to an Australian address, you can grab a slice of this delectable action. This offer is only available whilst stocks last, so don’t come crying to us if you miss out, you have been warned folks!

This great free gift even comes with a recipe idea card, so you can get a few ideas of how to make the most of this yummy treat. If you do make a cake, be sure to save me a slice too as a thank you for letting you in on this delicious deal!

Simply click on the link below to have a look through some of the great goods that are available at the Oxfam Fair Trade Shop. With each product offering a fair days pay to producers in some of the world’s poorest countries, it’s the sensible and kindest way to shop. Plus free chocolate spread, what’s not to like?!

> > Click here to shop with OxFair Trade 

By spending just 50c in every $100 of gross national income, we could -

• Send 4 million more children to primary school
• Give 8.5 million people access to clean water
• Vaccinate 10 million more children

As you can see, just that small amount would make a huge difference to the lives of literally millions of people, and some of the world’s poorest children. By supporting UNICEF Australia, you will be helping to create a better world not just for today, but also for the future.

The ‘Promise Me’ initiative is pretty simple. That the Australian government increase foreign aid budget by 2016-17 to show their commitment to help the world’s children towards a brighter future. If you would like to help more children go to school, gain access to clean water and survive treatable diseases, simply click on the link below to add your voice in asking the government to keeps it’s promise.

> > Click here to sign petition

If you would like to learn more about the work of UNICEF Australia, why not check out our dedicated charity page. There’s more information on how they help the world’s children, plus ways in how you can raise much needed funds.

The camp, called King Abdullah Park, is very close to the Syrian border and hold almost a thousand people, over half of them children. UNICEF have been working hard in the area to help those people that have fled the crisis, with staff helping the under 18′s to restart their education at the camp.

The Duchess was introduced to many of the children as they drew pictures and played with their friends, as they begin to come to terms with their situation. Half of the children are being transported to a nearby school to help them to continue their education, even though they find themselves a long way from home.

Prince Charles said -

Many of these children have been traumatised by the horrors of what they have witnessed before they got here. Some of them have lost their parents and had horrendous experiences and it is remarkable what all these wonderful organisations are doing to deal with this unbelievable and heartbreaking situation. In some ways children are quite adaptable and resilient but at the same time one of their teachers was telling me that just looking at trees reminded them of where they have been. The hope is that they will get back there again.

Due to a lack of funding, many Syrian children are being left without many essentials, and not just a lack of education. UNICEF are working hard on the frontline to deliver food, clean water and medicine for the sick to provide basic things like vaccinations

Dominique Hyde, of UNICEF Jordan, said -

After all the violence they have witnessed and all the stress they have been through, UNICEF is providing the children of Syria with vital support ranging from safe drinking water, essential vaccines and nutrition, to education, clothing and protection. Across Jordan, UNICEF is working with the Ministry of Education to support classes and teaching for nearly 40,000 children.

If you would like to provide much needed funds to aid UNICEF’s work why not make a donation to help their cause. This amazing charity works in many countries across the globe, helping millions of children towards a better.

The run takes place on Sunday 19th May 2013, with standard and gold entry both available, though spaces are limited. By joining the UNICEF team, you will not only be taking on an exciting challenge, but also helping to raise much needed funds for the world’s most vulnerable children. Plus you will get a chance to begin in the Gold Charity Zone for an advanced start just behind the serious runners, and also -

• Access to expert fundraising tips
• Email updates
• Support from UNICEF Australia
• UNICEF gear
• Custom Dri-Fit shirt

The minimum amount to fundraise for the Gold Charity Entry is $1,000, but we’re sure all your friends and family are sure to dig deep for this amazing cause. So why not do something a but different this year and join UNICEF on this amazing run, it’s a great way to get fit, and an even better way help the world’s children. A great combination wouldn’t you say?

> > Click here to register

If you would like to help raise funds for UNICEF Australia but fear a half marathon may be a step too far, why not purchase an Inspired Gift from our dedicated charity page? These amazing virtual charity gifts make a great present for friends and family, and go a long way to helping children across the world who are most in need.

KVKM2B

at the online checkout. This year there are so many great Easter items to pick from, there’s sure to be something for everyone. Plus it’s not just all chocolate based fun, there’s also -

• Hand Painted Egg Boxes
• Paper Mache Rabbits
• Hand Painted Paper Weights
• Bath Salts
• Hand Made Jewellery
• Candles

and loads more really different Easter presents that are sure to surprise someone special in your life. Remember that every gift you purchase from the Oxfam Fair Trade Shop has been created by a worker who will receive a fair price for their craftsmanship. Oxfam Australia work with over 100 different producers from across the globe to help people run their own sustainable business, whilst giving them access to the world market.

It truly is the gift that keeps on giving…

> > Click here to shop at Oxfam Fair Trade Shop