ActionAid doesn’t just hand out aid; they help poor people take control of their lives and end their own poverty for good. People living in poverty don’t want our guilt, they want justice. Festival Republic love the way ActionAid work, and are proud to support them. Since 2002 thousands of people at Reading Festival have been given the opportunity to say “bollocks to poverty!” and take action against HIV, unfair trade, corporate abuse, climate change and hunger.

In 2008 Festival Republic donated £10,000 to ActionAid's street children project in India, helping thousands of children off the street and into safe 'drop-in' shelters, where they can get counselling, training and the chance to return home. Find out more about the project  http://bit.ly/az3PpU

In 2010 Festival Republic responded instantly to the Haiti earthquake, donating £10,000 to ActionAid’s emergency appeal.  ActionAid have been working in Haiti for several years so were well placed to respond with food, water, hygiene kits and temporary shelters to thousands of people in poor communities. Their long term approach means they will be supporting people, especially women and girls, to get back to work and school for at least three years. ActionAid are also working to ensure Haitian people have a voice in the re-building of their country and that aid is delivered in the most democratic and accountable way. Find out more about the project http://bit.ly/9Ja9Lv

Every year at Reading Festival ActionAid provides the masses with a relaxing hangout, complete with comfy seating, giant games like jenga and connect four, table football and ping pong, DJ’s until 3am and of course lots of lovely free Bollocks to Poverty stickers, badges and tattoos! But most importantly, the ActionAid tent gives festival goers the opportunity to support people fighting their way out of poverty.

To find out more about ActionAid and how you can say Bollocks to Poverty visit www.actionaid.org.uk/bollocks

Photo: ActionAid