Story

On May 7 2012 I will be running the Belfast marathon and if training is anything to go by it should prove quite a challenge. To make matters worse my archrival Catherine has already completed the same course in around 4 hours. Dan and Catie have also run it, but I believe there are still some outstanding questions on whether Catie’s kilo of pasta the night before is permitted under European Marathon Law and if Dan’s pint of Guinness contained any performance enhancing drugs. Given this additional pressure I thought raising some money for charity would be just the incentive I need to push through the blisters, chaffing and general pain to complete the 26.2 miles. The charity I have chosen is 'Building Futures in Malawi'. In my final year at University I visited Malawi to carry out research on the damage which is being done to national forest reserves. Extensive deforestation is causing fuel shortages in rural areas. Locals depend on the wood as fuel for cooking and heating. Education is needed to teach local people about the environment and help them to manage their resources sustainably. Building futures in Malawi is a small UK based charity committed to improving opportunities for children in Malawi. It has built two libraries and secondary schools since it was set up. These are then handed over local groups to run. The education these schools provide will hopefully translate into a brighter future for the Country. Thank you very much for your donations, this is a very small charity so every donation really will make a difference. I would like to add that for anyone who will be in Ireland at the time, please come and support and my favorite marathon food is a jelly baby.

James's page

James's page

Story

Donation summary