A group of like minded souls in UK wishes to set up a charity to
deliver projects that make innovative use of digital information
technology to help and empower some of the world's poor.

The first project we want to do is to provide inter-village vehicles
in the Philippines with wireless internet to allow villagers to send
and receive email, along the lines of
http://www.spectrum.ieee.org/WEBONLY/resource/sep02/wireless.html

The question is: How to go about recruiting a high profile patron?

Is locating the project in the Philippines necessary?  There are a
host of security and safety concerns that must be addressed due to
terrorist concerns.  There are many tropical islands that do not have
terrorists.  Many of them speak English as a 1st language.  A
caribbean island would seem much more attractive to philanthropists -
comparatively zero terrorist concerns, much nicer for the donor to
visit and take a nice vacation to see how her money is being spent,
and just as undeveloped as the Philippines.  I am partial to St.
Lucia.  (although I have no affiliation$).

Do you have small successes to demonstrate to potential donors?  How
would you feel about giving your money to you?

Best wishes.

Thank you for your comment. The reason for the Phillipines as first
choice is that some of the founding group have strong connections and
would be willing to carry out work on the projects at no cost. We
appreciate the security situation and would plan project locales
accordingly. We have some small successes though not technology
oriented.

http://www.hopeww.org/world/philippines/home/2004/Baseco_Fire.htm

http://www.lifenets.org/philippines/camp2003.htm

http://www.heifer.org/Our_Work/Our_Impact/In_Asia-South_Pacific/ChiLD_Program.shtml

http://microloanfoundation.co.uk/

I wish I could be of more help.  Good luck.

Thank you 'trader.

That's given me a place to start. Much appreciated.