A Tower Hamlets charity which has sent volunteers all over the world held a celebration last night ahead of its 30th anniversary in 2012.

Members of the Daneford Trust, a charity based in Blythe Street, Bethnal Green, also set out their fundraising goals at their central London reception.

The charity was founded in 1982 and arose out of a school exchange between Daneford Boys secondary school, now Bethnal Green Technology College, and a Botswanan school.

Since then, over 3,000 young people from London have gone to Bangladesh, the Caribbean and Namibia among other countries to help with charitable projects.

Life peer Oona King, a former MP for Bethnal Green and Bow, gave an “inspirational closing speech”, according to the Trust’s founder and co-ordinator, former teacher Tony Stevens.

Next year the Trust hopes to raise �30,000 through their anniversary appeal, which will include entering a team of runners in the London Marathon.

Mr Stevens said: “2012 will be a very busy year for the trust.

“Not only are we determined to face all the challenges that face small charities at this time, but also to secure the future of our work for a good number of years to come.

“I’m due to retire in 2013 and we are already planning for new staff and new projects.”