The Champions Programme

Name: LUCY MULGAN
Role: CHAMPION SUPPORTING THE ESCUELA TEAM (COLOMBIA)
Location: DUNEDIN, NEW ZEALAND

"The Champions Programme makes you feel your contribution is changing peoples lives. I chose the Escuela because something I am passionate about is the education of women, regardless of age. In conflict areas, this is one of the first basic rights to disappear. I know that my donation and continued support means there is another girl out there with a future."

Name: Gordon Maw
Role: CHAMPION SUPPORTING HENRI (CONGO)
Location: NORWICH, UK

"Most charitable relationships are one way - you give money and you hope it makes a difference. Peace Direct is big enough to make a difference but not so big that you can't see exactly what is happening. But for me the payback is about being a better peacemaker yourself by learning what peace really means and how it is achieved."

Name: MOHAMED OSMAN
Role: INTERNATIONAL LIAISON, PEACE DIRECT
Location: LONDON, UK

"The more Champions sign-ups we get the more we can do. I've my sights set on groups all over the world that need long term funding. I've got one of the best jobs around. I don't impose values, I don't direct or instruct; I just become part of people's success."

Name: Gill Hicks
Role: AMBASSADOR, PEACE DIRECT
Location: LONDON, UK

Gill Hicks was the last person to be rescued from her train in the London bombings of 7th July 2005. She is now a passionate ambassador for Peace Direct. She has taken part in events promoting peace at all levels around the world - from classroom debates and community gatherings to national and international forums.

"There are many courageous people risking their lives around the world to create peace in their community - they, like me believe passionately that one individual can make a difference, that peace is possible and each and every one of us has the power to make it possible. Peace starts with you."

More about Peace Direct and Gill Hicks

Name: MICHAEL RITCHIE
Role: LONG TERM SUPPORTER OF SAMI VELIOGLU IN KIRKUK, IRAQ
Location: WEST WALES

Michael Ritchie is a property developer trying to capture the spirit of traditional villages. He also keeps horses. Michael has funded Sami and the Humanitarian Liaison Centre in Kirkuk, Iraq and keeps in touch with Sami giving moral support.

Name: Doro Marden
Role: FOUNDING CHAMPION OF THE ESCUELA TEAM (COLOMBIA)
Location: LONDON, UK

"I really enjoy being a champion, regular reports about the achievements of these brave Colombian women are inspiring. They risk their lives to build a better future for their children."

Name: Mark Vrionides
Role: FORMER INTERN, PEACE DIRECT
Location: EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND

"The Champions' stories and the innovations in peace-building that I've discovered through Insight on Conflict offer a glimpse of real action. Ordinary people are standing up to save their communities all over the world because they can see no alternative. It just takes that first step; worry about the details later."

Name: Patrick Uden
Role: PRO BONO COMMUNICATIONS ADVISOR, PEACE DIRECT
Location: LONDON, UK

Patrick is Executive Editor of Fourdocs and has been in the TV industry for 37 years.

"Peace is not just a lack of war, it is a lack of fear. And fear is an automatic human response to vulnerability. War brings fear in spades, which is why mutually assured destruction cannot be peace."

Name: James Turrell
Role: FUNDED MEETING OF THE SUDAN COLLABORATIVE IN MARCH 2007
Location: LONDON, UK

James is Managing Director of Greentree Associates, which specialises in starting up new financial institutions for its clients. His life has not been the same since he acquired two wild and willful kittens.