Heard the one about the vicar, the bucket and the stuffed porcupine? They all helped to make Oxfam one of the world''s most respected aid agencies, of course! Are you sitting comfortably? Then, let’s begin the alternative history of Oxfam.In the beginning, literally

Here is a book containing the first minutes of the Oxford Committee for Famine Relief from a meeting organised by University Vicar, Canon Milford, in 1942, to help Greek civilian victims of war. Although most similar groups closed down after World War II, Oxfam kept going. Typical.

Down to business

Oxfam opened one of the world’s first charity shop chains starting with a shop in Oxford in 1948. This innovative fundraising idea attracted donations ranging from false teeth, various stuffed animals, up to a houseboat. Today our shop network raises millions, and there''s even an online version too!

I’m a celebrity

These Liverpudlian lads are just Fab Four of the hundreds of celebrities who have helped our fundraising efforts since the early 60s. It’s not for the fame, and they’re not paid for it, they just believe in what we do, and some even get involved in our projects.

Thinking outside the collection box

While traditional tin-shaking techniques are still effective, we''ve pioneered lots of new fundraising ideas in our time - like this tabletop box from the 60s that was passed around at family mealtimes. Other originals include regular giving, pledges and the daddy of charity gift catalogues, Oxfam Unwrapped.

Making a statement...

We’ve always been rather vocal about ending poverty. We’ve taken on governments, international organisations and corporations. We took out ads in the 50s (unprecedented!), defied restrictions by helping the people of Cambodia in ’79 (groundbreaking!), and harassed numerous G8 conferences (ongoing!).

Get a handle on this...

This useful little thing is an award winner. It keeps bugs out, and water in. It''s just one element in our emergency response armoury – including water and sanitation expertise – that enables us to provide desperately-needed care – especially as we’re often the first relief organisation on the scene, as in Aceh after the 2004 Tsunami.

All around the world...

Our aim is to tackle poverty and we’ll willingly work with and learn from others. That''s why it made sense to get together with some like-minded organisations to form Oxfam International in 1995. Today it''s a growing confederation of 13 organisations, which gives us even greater global impact.

Poverty in the UK...

Surprise... part of Oxfam’s worldwide programme focuses on the UK! Although poverty here is different to that in developing countries, its causes and impact can be very similar. That''s why we set up the UK Poverty Programme in 1996 to give people a voice.

Sound thinking...

We’ve never been shy about talking to new people, and technology has given us even more scope. We’ve been online since ’96, and even started doing our own TV programmes in 2006. We’re speaking to younger audiences via innovative ideas like the Generation Why website, regular music festival appearances and Oxjam, launched in 2006.