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Alexander Graeme Dickson (23 May 1914 – 23 September 1994) founded Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO) in 1958. VSO was created to send volunteers to developing countries, and Dickson's idea came from his own "Christian but non-denominational faith". The first volunteers went to Sarawak, Ghana, Nigeria and Zambia.
In 1951, Dickson married writer, artist and campaigner Mora Dickson (née Robertson) (20 April 1918 – 17 December 2001), author of A Chance To Serve (1976) recounting the beginnings of VSO.
On leaving VSO in 1962, the Dicksons formed Community Service Volunteers, which focused on UK-based volunteer projects.
Alec Dickson became a MBE in 1945 and a CBE in 1967. A plaque marking the London house where he died was erected by the Bedford Park Society.