(Telegraph magazine 19 September 2016)
Oil painting This is by my uncle Neville Eldridge, an artist. He’s 89 and still paints every day, always with lots of light, optimism and energy. To me, he has never aged; his spirit remains youthful.
(see all of Victoria’s 8 objects at The Telegraph)
Victoria discusses “Cartes Postales from Greece” with Dan Walker and Louise Minchin on BBC Breakfast
(September 24 2016, The Times)
Not long ago, during a quiz on Greek television, a question came up on whether I had a house in a) Kolonaki, b) Plaka, c) Glyfada or d) Patissia. The contestant got the answer wrong. The first three are areas for the well-heeled and well-connected of Athens. The fourth is more down to earth, but renting a flat outside the centre, in an authentic neighbourhood, has given me a new perspective on the city.
My place is in “Kato” (meaning lower) Patissia and my apartment block is near leafy Kalligas Square, which is named after a wealthy landowner who specified… (read more at the Times (paywalled))
Victoria talks to Jane Garvey on Woman’s Hour (BBC Radio 4) about her new book ‘Cartes Postales from Greece‘
You can listen to the chapter featuring Victoria from the Woman’s Hour podcast using the audio player here:
Otherwise, the entire episode of Woman’s Hour is available on BBC iPlayer. Click here to listen.
Leprosy is one of the world’s oldest diseases, yet is still a health issue today, with over 200,000 people diagnosed every year. If left untreated, it can lead to nerve damage, blindness and permanent disability. In the 1980s an effective cure became available in the form of multi-drug therapy (MDT).
There is no preventative vaccine and much is still unknown about the disease and why some people are naturally immune while others are not.
Every day 600 people are diagnosed and begin treatment for leprosy. Many of these are already disabled by the time they are diagnosed.
What this means is that today, although entirely curable, millions of people around the world are living with a leprosy-related disability. Many are also subjected to discrimination and social exclusion because they, or members of their families, have had the disease.
Lepra’s work
Lepra is an international charity fighting disease, poverty and prejudice. The charity focuses on people affected by some of the world’s oldest and most neglected diseases, including leprosy. They ensure not only that health needs are met but support people to improve their lives and livelihoods by tackling the poverty and prejudice too.
As one of the world’s leading authorities on leprosy, the charity Lepra has been at the forefront of prevention, treatment and management of leprosy since 1924.
On average it costs £25 for Lepra to change the life of someone living with the consequences of cured leprosy.
In addition to working with leprosy affected people to fight prejudice and reduce their poverty, Lepra’s past successes mean that governments are now able to deliver simple leprosy services. The charity also publishes academic research on leprosy and promotes sharing of best practice in the field.
Directly reaching more than 279,900 (2015-2016)people per year who are affected by disease, poverty and discrimination, Lepra’s work is just scratching the surface of need. With greater financial support they can do more.
Further information can be found online: www.lepra.org.uk or from Lepra, 28 Middleborough, Colchester, Essex CO1 1TG. Tel: 01206 216700
Registered Charity Number 213251 (England and Wales) SCO39715 (Scotland)
Listen to an exclusive excerpt from Cartes Postales from Greece read by Dan Stevens
