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Since May 2013, Victoria has been an official ambassador for UK based, international charity Lepra.<\/p>\n
They work on the ground in India, Bangladesh and Mozambique improving the lives of those affected by neglected diseases like leprosy. The organisation has over 90 years\u2019 experience tackling the debilitating disease as well as the associated issues of poverty and prejudice.<\/p>\n
Each year nearly 214,000 people are newly diagnosed with leprosy but experts believe there are as many as 3 million people undiagnosed with leprosy. Victoria is working alongside the charity to help raise awareness of the disease so that those missing millions can be found.<\/p>\n
Victoria\u00a0became involved with the charity after doing research on leprosy for her best-selling novel \u2018The Island.\u2019 She was able to visit some of Lepra\u2019s overseas projects in India and see just how the \u2018forgotten disease,\u2019 as many believe it to be, affects children, women and men.<\/p>\n
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As Victoria highlights in \u2018The Island,\u2019 those who contract the disease are often cast out of society and can be sent to live in ostracised colonies. Leprosy is however curable, but the stigma around it prevents many from coming forward for treatment.
\nWhile the stigma and prejudice remains rife in many communities overseas, in the UK it is not commonly known that leprosy still exists and indeed affects the lives of many. Through \u2018The Island\u2019 Victoria was able to bring the issue of leprosy back into modern day conversation and has continued to do so by being an ambassador for Lepra.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s remarkable that 600 people around the world each day are diagnosed with leprosy. Lepra is a leading authority on community health programmes in leprosy and the impact of their work is remarkable.\u201d Victoria<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Over the past three years she has lent her voice to Lepra driving home their message that leprosy is still around today affecting many and we must find the millions undiagnosed so that fewer face a life of disability and shame.<\/p>\n
Sarah Nancollas, Lepra\u2019s chief executive says that this support has made a big difference.<\/p>\n
\u201cOver the last few years Victoria has helped us immensely in letting people know that leprosy still exists. Her voice has allowed us to reach more people with our message and ultimately change the lives of many affected by the neglected disease.\u201d<\/p>\n