As Christmas approaches, we were extremely pleased to hear via @BBCWiltshire that, by purchases of Oxfam Unwrapped gifts, Salisbury is in the top 30 most generous places in the UK!

To be honest, we already knew that our customers were very generous people, judging by the wonderful donations of time and money we receive in store, but it’s great to hear it from someone else too.

Last year you spent £160,325 on life-changing Oxfam Unwrapped gifts for people in need, and we’re hoping to break that record this year with the fantastic new range already on sale in our shops and online at www.oxfamunwrapped.com

Oxfam Unwrapped gifts help those who really need them in all kinds of ways, amongst other things it has paid for safe drinking water for thousands of people, fed families worldwide, train teachers and educate children.

Once again, thank you.

Remember back in February when we said this?

For one month only, the nice people at PayPal are paying our running costs, so 100% of your money goes directly to fighting poverty.

Well, we were wrong… it wasn’t one month only, because they’re doing it again!

If you can’t remember what it was all about, take a look at our story from the time… here! Mind you it’s pretty simple:

This September, PayPal are covering all of Oxfam’s admin costs on all donations made through PayPal. 100% brilliant

We always keep our admin costs low, but some – paying bills, stocking the stationery cupboard and doing the paperwork – are an unavoidable and essential part of our work.

This September, though, PayPal have got them covered. So every penny of your donation will go on life-changing work. Like helping farmers in Bolivia earn a better living. Or ensuring communities in Cambodia always have safe water to drink.

But what it definitely won’t do is pay for those essential-but-less-inspiring things like staples or stamps. So you can be 100% certain you’re changing lives.

What’s more, you can make this special offer last beyond September – by setting up a regular gift PayPal will pay the admin costs for every donation every month for a year!

What can I do?

• Explore – You can find out more above 100% Giving at www.oxfam.org.uk/giving.
• Give – Click here to give now.

Large parts of East Africa are facing the world’s worst food crisis. Oxfam is appealing for £50 million – our largest ever appeal for Africa.

The Situation
More than 10 million people in East Africa are facing desperate food shortages following the worst drought in 60 years.

Rains have failed for successive seasons, and families across Somalia, Ethiopia and Kenya are struggling to find anything to eat or drink. Hundreds of thousands of livestock have already died. Food prices have rocketed.

Oxfam is there
We are already reaching families in Ethiopia, Somalia and Kenya with the food, water and basic sanitation they desperately need to stay alive. In total we aim to reach 3 million people with our emergency response.

Find out more at the Oxfam GB website.

What can I do?

• Give - You can give online by clicking here or by phoning 0300 200 1999.

Dear supporter,

A huge fire has devastated our Wastesaver recycling plant and warehouse. Tonnes of stock destined for our shops was ruined. We’re back up and running, but urgently need your help to refill our shelves:

Please donate any items you can to your local Oxfam shop today

Anything you can give us will really help, but in particular we need the following for our pop-up Festival Shop:

• winter clothing including coats, tweeds or fake furs
• vintage fashion such as dresses, scarves and accessories
• fancy dress items
• wellies, waterproofs, tents and sleeping bags
• knitted blankets.

Just bring any clothes you no longer need to your nearest Oxfam shop.

Thank you,

Sarah Farquhar
Head of Retail, Oxfam

The political crisis in Ivory Coast has caused thousands of people to flee to neighbouring Liberia.

Oxfam has deployed a team of aid experts and has airlifted relief supplies into Liberia for up to 70,000 people including water tanks and drilling equipment, together with essential supplies such as latrines.

The supplies are being sent to Nimba, Grand Guedeh, and Maryland counties where camps are being prepared for an anticipated quarter of a million refugees.

What can I do?

Give - Please donate what you can to the emergency appeal by clicking here.