Hello and thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

I am taking part in the Highland Fling 2012 Multi-Terrain Ultra run on 28th April. The Distance - 53 Miles (85K), The Climb (Total Ascent) 6500ft. www.highlandflingrace.org

I am hoping to raise money for the Valerie Taylor Trust. It is a charity that supports the Centre for the Rehabilitation of the Paralysed (CRP) in Bangladesh.

Please watch this short film about crp.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZoSPjzOVkAQ

Please read the following information about VTT, CRP and how of you wish you can set up a monthly donation. (Please take a minute to read through, thank you!)

Who is Valerie Taylor?
Valerie is a British physiotherapist who first arrived in Bangladesh with Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO) in 1969. She was appalled at the desperate plight of people paralysed by spinal injury or disease and the fact that they were often left to beg or to die. Valerie committed herself to bringing about a change in the situation she saw. It took ten years of persistence but finally in 1979 she opened the Centre for the Rehabilitation of the Paralysed (CRP). In recognition of her unique contribution to disabled people in Bangladesh, Valerie received the ‘Shadhinota Dibosh Podok’ the highest civilian award of the country and in 1993 she was awarded the ‘Order of the British Empire’ (OBE).

What is the Centre for the Rehabilitation of the Paralysed?
Originally 4 patients in a disused cement warehouse, the centre now has over 100 in-patient beds. It has a mother and child unit; a hostel and integrated schooling for children with cerebral palsy. In addition to the in-patient services offered by the centre, over 15,000 out-patients are seen every year. There is also an independent living centre for disabled women, which has recently attracted funding from UK-based high street retailer, Marks & Spencer.

Why your donation is so important
In Bangladesh, £1 is more than many earn for a day’s hard work.

All patients are asked to pay something towards the cost of their treatment. However, 85% of patients are daily labourers whose total monthly income is only about half the monthly cost of treatment at the Centre.

If they have to pay for their treatment by selling precious assets - the family cow, the tin off the roof or by borrowing money, their chances of survival when they return home are greatly reduced.

How you can help?
- £2 per Month: Pays for two out-patient treatments
- £10 per Month: Pays for a week of in-patient treatment
- £50 Donation: Pays for a new wheelchairÂ

Any amount you can give will go a long way to help. The trust is run by volunteers with minimum administration costs.

Where does the money go?
The Centre for the Rehabilitation of the Paralysed has been established in Bangladesh for over twenty-five years and has developed into an internationally respected organisation. It focuses on a holistic approach to rehabilitation, recognising that all aspects of the process are vital for its success. Its activities include:
- Making wheelchairs and walking frames from locally available materials
- Providing vocational re-training when patients cannot return to their previous employment
- Follow up visits after patients have returned home
- Helping to change attitudes towards disabled people.

Valerie will be visiting Scotland in May 2012 and there will be some events organised for fundraising and raising awareness of the work carried out at CRP. Please see wesbiste for details, www.valerietaylortrust.org

Iain Whitty:

Some of you will know that the end of 2010 and throughout 2011 as a family we went through some really challenging times.

I am so, so proud of my family and we are all loving our new life in the countryside, Andrew and Euan are both doing great at Lochmaben School and playing football for Lochar Thistle FC & Mid Annandale FC, they have great sporting opportunities here and have already enjoyed, Fishing, Sailing, Ice Skating, Athletics, Gymnastics, Hillwalking and Mountain Biking and helping Frances, Patricia and Caroline with the Horses at Burrance Farm!

In October 2011 there was an event called Headspace at the RCS with Clarence Adoo - www.clarence.org.uk

In some ways this event was 7 years in the making following a visit to CRP in 2004 - Big thanks go to Katja Riek, John Kenny, Celia Duffy, Clare Spencer, John Wallace for this event, the work that Katja and John are producing following this event is awesome and it is one of the main reasons that I have been inspired to try and do what I can and raise some money through this big big challenge.

Whatever challenges I have faced it is nothing compared to those who face the challenge of having a disability in Bangladesh.

People throughout Bangladesh are touched by the work of CRP. Community Based Rehabilitation (CBR) projects operate in 13 districts of the country. Accident and disability prevention programmes include research components and aim to educate vulnerable groups on safe working and living practises. Advocacy and networking activities bring CRP's work to the attention of relevant officials and promote improved co-ordination among the many organisation with which CRP works. Awareness raising and publicity campaigns inform the population of relevant issues and attempt to break down the barriers, superstitions and stigmas which prevent disabled people from enjoying equal rights and opportunities.

CRP is the only organisation of its kind in Bangladesh, a country with a population of 140 million. The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that 10% of the population in Bangladesh are disabled.

At CRP those who are very poor pay only what they can afford, this cannot be achieved without kind people like you making a donation.

Thanks for taking the time to read this, I am very nervous about completing this event. I will try my very best.

Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.