A HOST of people from Oxfordshire have been given a chance to “make a world of difference” by taking two months off work for charity.

The Vodafone Foundation’s World of Difference UK Programme is giving 500 people from across the country the chance to work for eight weeks with a charity of their choice.

And 13 Oxfordshire residents have beaten thousands of applicants to be accepted into the programme.

Among the causes to benefit from the scheme are a host of local and national charities, including the Oxfordshire Equality Council, the Northmoor Trust and the Homeless World Cup Foundation.

As part of the scheme, the trust agrees to pay each charity a total of £2,500, which will be given as a wage to each winner, minus tax and National Insurance.

Vodafone UK is also donating a new mobile phone with pre-paid credit so winners can capture their experiences of working for their dream charity and share it on a website.

Andrew Dunnett, director of the Vodafone Foundation, said: “For people who feel passionate about a charity or cause, or for those who simply have time on their hands, Vodafone’s World of Difference programme offers an ideal opportunity to help others while gaining valuable life and work experience.

“World of Difference UK gives people who want to donate themselves, and get paid, the chance to put that passion into practice.”

awilliams@oxfordmail.co.uk

To follow Oxfordshire’s World of Difference winners, visit the website vodafone.com/world_of_difference

Ayian Sigal, 32, from Headington, has chosen to spend two months working for the Climate Outreach and Information Network, Coin.

Coin, based in Cowley Road, Oxford, organises talks and conferences around the country about climate change and environmental issues.

Miss Sigal is spending her placement with Coin assisting with their Refugee and Climate Change forum, something she feels very strongly about.

She said: “I am really passionate about environmental issues so I was very excited when I found out that I had been chosen.

“I’m extremely happy to have the opportunity to work with Coin and to contribute to the project I am involved with.”

William Schreiber, 27, of Boulter Street, Oxford, will be working for Tzedek, a Jewish charity which helps people to become self sufficient.

Mr Schreiber will take the time off from work as a sustainability consultant to dedicate his time to the London-based charity, starting from next month.

He said he hoped his time working as an overseas projects development and sustainability manager would help the organisation to expand.

He said: “I first saw the work of Tzedek when I was volunteering in Uganda.

“What’s great about them is they really respect the local knowledge of individuals when they are trying to reach the demands of a community.

“I hope this two-month opportunity will kickstart my charity’s transformation towards a £1m organisation.

“I can’t express how happy I am that I am being given this opportunity to sit in a key position during this exciting time.”

Nicola Gothard, 26, of Sovereign Close, Didcot, will be working with Compassion in World Farming.

Dipti Hingorani, 28, of St Mary’s Road, Oxford, will be working for the Centre for Emergency Practice.

Louise Phillips, 23, of Red Cross Road, Goring on Thames, will be working with Read International.

Jonathan Regler, 44, of Meadow Way, Yarnton, will work with The Homeless World Cup Foundation.

Lydia Tanner, 25, of Parks Road, Oxford, will be working with Humanitarian Aid Relief Trust.

Kathryn Wright, 29, of Didcot will work for The Association for Glycogen Storage Diseases.

Sope Adekola,19, of Charlton Road, Wantage, will be working with the Oxfordshire Equality Council.

Peter Barker, 45, from Nuneham Courtenay, will be working with the Northmoor Trust.

Madeleine Corcoran, 21, left, of Scott Road, Oxford, and Mina Samangooei, 24, right, of London Road, Headington will both be working with Architecture Sans Frontieres.

Rachel Drew, 22, of Abbey Road, Oxford, will be working with The Children’s Legal Centre.