How many Georges?

OOG members, together with members of the Oxford University Student Oxfam group, got up very early indeed on Tuesday 19 March, the day before the Budget, to lobby Chancellor George Osbourne to keep the Government's promise to increase the UK's international aid budget to 0.7% of our national income in 2013.

This national media stunt included 500 people dressing up as George, and getting photographed with the iconic red budget boxes all over London, before a mass photo-shoot in parliament Square, which reached national and international media. All the Georges spelt out the words 'IF' when seen from above - the name of the joint campaign, of which Oxfam is a part, to get fair access to food for everyone across the world, for which aid is a necessary though far from sufficient condition.

Unfortunately we can't confirm exactly which Georges were OOG members in these photographs!

Since the stunt, we had the great news that the Chancellor did actually make his historic announcement to meet the target this year, making the UK the first G8 country to do so. Details are at http://enoughfoodif.org/latest/budget-thank-you.

This is a 43-year old commitment, and OOG members past and present should feel proud of their part in this achievement, which is something we've been lobbying our politicians for for the entire life of the Group!