Michael Wood

Relief for Oppressed People Everywhere (ROPE), a UK-based Christian volunteer charity, was started by Michael Wood in 1991. He derived inspiration by his commitment to The Acorn Foundation, a registered charity which he formed in 1996 devoted to alleviating acute poverty of those throughout the world for whom, help was not available from any other source. Michael’s vision, carried on today, through ROPE, was to make a difference to suffering people and the poorest in the world.

ROPE helps the poor in 85 countries. Some examples include saving children from prostitution, supporting orphans and street children, helping widows, the starving, homeless, aged, sick, refugees, unemployed, prisoners and addicts. Those who are excluded from justice, or who are simply overcome by the pressures of daily living are also supported. The Charity provides soup kitchens and feeding programmes in addition to digging wells, installing water filtration systems and running medical and eye clinics. Help is also given to deprived and marginalised families in the UK. A considerable proportion of ROPE’s activities are directed to the provision of seed capital for self-help, start up businesses, so enabling recipients to provide an income for themselves and their families for the rest of their lives.

Under Michael’s leadership, ROPE has organised over 100 groups of ROPE holders in the 85 countries where it operates. ROPE also ensures that all donations go to alleviate world poverty with nothing deducted for administration as this is funded through a separate Trust known as Friends of ROPE. ROPE’s income has grown from a mere £20,000 in the first year to nearly £500,000 in the (financial year 2005/6). The Charity’s focus continues to be on alleviating the plight of oppressed and needy people who might not necessarily draw the attention of the large aid agencies. Standing down as CEO of ROPE in September 2003, Michael still remains the Charity’s driving force as the Organisation’s President.

For nearly 40 years, Michael Wood has been a paradigm of charitable giving. In 1966 Michael, then aged 39, a successful accountant and property developer, made a significant decision to allocate a major portion of his personal assets to a new charity, the Acorn Foundation, and to devote at least 80% of his time to charitable causes for the rest of his life. In a simple but profound personal statement he said, "I have only one life and must dedicate it to those in need".

Michael Wood has also contributed significantly to other charitable organisations. During the period 1966 to 1992 he was a Council Member of the Evangelical Alliance (1968-75) and Chairman of their Finance Committee. He was also involved in the formation of the Arts Centre Group (between 1970 and 1978) and acted as their Chairman during some of those years. Michael was also a Director, Treasurer and then Chairman of the Sudan United Mission (now Action Partners) from 1968 to 1992. Michael never received any salary or expenses from those charities but was able to travel to many developing countries at his own expense. It was in the course of these visits that he acquired a 'feel' for relief and missionary work across the world whilst visiting nearly 50 countries. Now, nearly 80, Michael remains active as the President of Rope and a dedicated fundraiser.

“What Michael Wood has achieved through ROPE has been truly remarkable …thousands of lives have been totally transformed because of his passion”.

J Stuart Reid BVM&S BD

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