What happened next? Give what you can

Just over a year ago, Toby Ord, a moral philosopher at Oxford University, set up a society called Giving What We Can . He pledged to donate 10% of his income to charity for the rest of his working life; as he is in his early 30s, this could amount to quite a sum. His wife, a junior doctor, also signed up, and so did 62 others. "The reaction has been overwhelmingly positive," he says." Sixty-two members isn't a dazzling figure, even if the total pledged over people's working lifetimes comes to more than £14m, but Ord says he is happy with it: "Ten per cent of their income is a very large commitment." Over the last year, Ord gave away far more of his salary than he planned to. "I found it easier than I expected. I gave away 40% last year. I had also pledged to give away everything above £20,000, but now I've decided to lower that to £18,000." Ord and his wife's money goes to charities fighting tropical diseases, malaria and TB in the developing world. Is there anything he misses? "Not really. Our biggest luxury is trips back to Australia to see our families every year or two and we'll still be able to do that. We weren't really consumerists before. Most of what we get a lot of value out of – conversation, time spent together and with friends, art (music or novels) – ultimately don't cost much." And yes, he bought himself the iPhone he wanted last year. It isn't all altruism either; Ord admits that giving makes him feel happier. "I would feel guilty when I had an opportunity to give but didn't. Now I feel a lot more at peace with myself." www.givingwhatwecan.org