"My bike is the tool of my career and a major part of my life, but for many people in developing countries, something as simple as a bicycle can be completely life changing - it could have a multitude of uses for a whole community."

Chris Hoy, Olympic Gold Medalist and World Champion Cyclist

"Tools are essential in my job and without them everything is hard work. Giving tools to farmers in the developing world will help a family plant their own seeds so they can feed their families and create a livelihood."

Alan Titchmarsh

"We got sheep and emergency water kits instead of a toaster for our wedding gifts," said Birmingham newlyweds. Sarah explained, "We have a lot of stuff between us already and didn’t want to duplicate. We thought why should we benefit ourselves when someone else needs it?’ The couple received many positive comments from their guests and encourage other couples to do the same, ‘It’s a great idea. I can’t see the point of buying new things just for the sake of it," said Sarah.

Sarah and Richard Gough, Birmingham

Margaret and Edward Young were old school friends, who reconnected many years later and fell in love. As they came from two households, they already had everything.Margaret said, "Our friends wanted to give gifts and World Vision offered an opportunity to donate gifts which had value and meaning for both giver and receiver stretching beyond the joy of our Wedding Day."

Margaret and Edward Young

Kieran Ford gave up all his Christmas presents last Christmas to raise money for World Vision, more than doubled his original target of £800, raising a grand total of £1,671. "A huge thank you to everyone who supported me", says Kieran, "I was amazed by everyone's generosity, not just friends and families, but complete strangers too. Banbury is a very generous place in which to live. I hope that by sharing my enthusiasm for alternative gifts this Christmas, others will be encouraged to add an Alternative Gift to their Christmas lists for 2007."

16 year old Kieran Ford, Banbury

"My granddaughter gave me the gift of a nanny goat for my birthday and I couldn’t be more thrilled!"

Sue Pierce

"I found gifts for each member of my family, from the cooks, to the gardeners, the animal lovers and the teacher. Brilliant!"

Emma Buckle

"I am 11 and think your catalogue is a great idea. My Nanny is, instead of giving me all the small gifts she normally sends me, buying me a fruit tree. I am really pleased I can help other people worse off than me."

Martha

"Just a note to say thanks for an accurate and prompt delivery of my order, the cards are beautiful and will hopefully make my friends and family smile this Christmas as well as help a lot of people too!"

Jen Henley

"I thought you might like to know how my gift – Child Desk and School Supplies – was received. I purchased it for an old friend, now in his eighties, and his wife. He used to be a school headmaster and even now is very involved with young people…They were so excited by the gift that they rang me up specially at 8.20 am on Christmas Day to tell me how thrilled they were and what a great idea it was. I don’t think I could have chosen better for them."

Linda Hambling