The Salvation Army in the UK has this season launched its first ever catalogue of gift ideas that will go towards helping support communities across the developing world. The new initiative has been launched in time for Christmas, with the catalogue entitled, ‘Gifts that keep on giving’.

|TOP|The project will focus on providing people with an alternative to the many unwanted presents that they receive during the festive season.

Forty gift ideas have been provided in the catalogue ranging from fishing boats for Indonesian fishermen, who lost their livelihood in the tsunami, to toys for children in hospital.

To those that order gifts from the catalogue, the Salvation Army will offer a gift card to the customer, and a voucher giving details of exactly what they have bought. The gift card can then be given as a present to relatives and friends whilst the main gift will go to bring joy to those in the developing world who usually receive nothing during this festive season.

The Salvation Army guarantees that every single gift purchased will go towards improving the lives of the communities around the world.

Duncan Parker, the International Development Director (UK) for the Salvation Army said, “So many people receive gifts that they don’t want or need at Christmas - the embroidered handkerchief with your initials, the book you’ll never read. We want this catalogue to act as an alternative to those gifts.

|AD|“We think giving someone in the developing world the opportunity to start a business, receive an education, or live in better conditions, is one of the most amazing presents you could give this Christmas. It’s a gift that keeps on giving and makes a real difference to people’s lives.”

Although the catalogue has been launched in time for Christmas, the gifts will be available for customers to purchase throughout 2006.

An additional purpose of the catalogue has also been promoted by the Salvation Army, and this is to raise awareness of the organisation’s work throughout many of the developing world’s countries. A number of true stories have been added to the catalogue to reveal just a few ways in which the Salvation Army is aiding local poor communities without discrimination around the world.

At the centre of the Salvation Army’s relief work in these poor communities around the world is its International Development team, who form part of a network of development workers across the globe that work directly with local Salvation Army initiatives. It hopes to share resources with countries that are looking for support, and attempts to do this by channelling resources to bring about development.

You may order the Salvation Army gift catalogue by contacting the International Development team on 020 7367 4777. Gifts can also be purchased online by clicking on the following link: www.salvationarmy.org.uk/internationaldevelopment