The Rat Race is a 2 day adventure race across London on the weekend of the 26/27th of September. It's a gruelling challenge which involves around 10km of running, 50km of cycling and 2km of kayaking. All interspersed with climbing, parkour and other challenges.

I'm running it with a friend to raise money for RedR AND Engineers Without Borders UK. 

RedR

These guys are basically the Thunderbirds of humanitarian aid relief - just without the big jaws and rocket ships! Think of any natural disaster or conflict of recent history and they will have sent somebody to work there.

In a nutshell, what happens is this. A disaster occurs. An Aid agency, Oxfam for example, turns up and realises it needs people with certain expertise. They contact RedR who have a register of professionals that are ready to drop everything in the name of humanitarianism at a moments notice.

RedR provides specialist in Water & Sanitation, Shelter, Logistics, Safety & Security, Planning & Management, Humanitarian Practica and Health.

On top of that they provide training the UK and overseas. In the UK for development/aid workers or potential workers. Overseas for people stuck in some of the most unfortunate situations imaginable.

Engineers Without Borders

EWB-UK is the organisation that I spend much of time working with. EWB trains and inspires thousands of young engineers to go into development work. Run on the inspiration of its volunteers EWB-UK is the largest student led development charity in the UK. Through around 30 University branches across the country EWB conducts research, runs training events and sends young engineers to projects that need their help. 

Where as RedR works mainly with large emergency aid relief organisations, EWB-UK works with small grass roots development organisations to provide assistance in developing technological solutions to the many problems they face. Inspired by E.F Schumachers "Small is beautiful" principle EWB helps to improve the lives of thousands of people world wide. The areas of activity include energy, habitat, information & communication, industry, transport and water & sanitation.

If you've ever wondered "Which NGO should I donate to?" "Which is the more worthy organisation - the small grass roots NGO or the International NGO?" Then donate on this page for RedR and EWB-UK because they work with all of them!

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So please dig deep and donate now.