Charity changes lives - but is probably one of the Rugby area's best-kept secrets

Practical Action has its head office in Bourton-on-Dunsmore and has entered into a charity partnership with The Race Organiser, which stages a range of running events.

The partnership begins with the Santa Dash at Draycote Water on Sunday, December 18.

Fundraiser Stacey McNeill said: “Having the chance to promote the fantastic work that Practical Action does within the local area is a real positive – our community fundraisers are very important to us, and this partnership will be a great opportunity to encourage more support from people in the Rugby area.”

Staff and volunteers from Practical Action will be on hand at the event to talk about their work as well as providing activities for children.

The Race Organiser has been holding events at Draycote Water for a few years.

Practical Action uses technology to challenge poverty in developing countries.

Mrs McNeill added: “We find out what people are doing and help them to do it better.

“Through technology we enable poor communities to build on their skills and knowledge to produce sustainable and practical solutions - transforming their lives forever and protecting the world around them.

“By doing this each year we help around a million people break out of the cycle of poverty ... for good.”

Its Christmas campaign highlights the huge number of deaths from people inhaling smoke from kitchen stoves and fires.

It is tackling this by offering simple smoke hoods and other measures, with projects in Nepal, Sudan and Peru.

For more information about the charity and to find out about entering the Santa Dash race, contact [email protected]