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The Starfish Story:

An old man had a habit of early morning walks on the beach.  One day, as he looked along the shore, he saw a human figure moving like a dancer.  As he came closer he saw that it was a young woman and she was not dancing but was reaching down to the sand, picking up starfish and very gently throwing them into the ocean.

"Young lady," he asked, "Why are you throwing starfish into the ocean?"

"The sun is up, and the tide is going out, and if I do not throw them in they will die."

"But young lady, do you not realise that there are miles and miles of beach and starfish all along it?  You cannot possibly make a difference."

The young woman listened politely, paused and then bent down, picked up another starfish and threw it into the sea, past the breaking waves, saying: "It made a big difference to that one."

And it's true, it's so easy to forget the individual when we see the effect of world events. Whilst we can't change the world on our own, we all have the opportunity to change the world for someone else.

Starfish enables children in Africa whose life has been made vulnerable due to Aids. A whole generation is growing up without parents or family because of Aids. Many are neglected and abused. Starfish brings them hope and enables them to turn their life around by returning to school and giving them all the other support they need.

The Tough Mudder Obstacle course is 12 miles long. That's about twice as far as I've ever run in one go before, without even thinking of the obstacles. 

At a £ a mile that's enough to buy school shoes for two children.

Push the boat out and donate £50. That will ensure a child returns to school by providing them with a uniform, school shoes, books and stationery. 

Fact: Children in southern Africa need a school uniform in order to attend school.

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