On 6th September I will be taking part in the Monaco 70.3 half Ironman - the hardest of the 70.3.  This involves 1.9km sea swim, 90km bike (including 1500m of vertical climbing) and a 21km run around the grand prix circuit. 

 

To make my suffering worthwhile, I will be raising money for a charity that is close to my heart, Watoto (www.watoto.com).   This is an African based charity that is actively involved in rebuilding a nation, by rescuing children and raising the leaders of the future.   At present Watoto has three children’s villages (orphanages); two in Kampala and a third one in Gulu, Northern Uganda. 

 

Watoto is not an orphanage in the traditional sense.  They build homes and create family units for children who have lost their family or are vulnerable for many reasons. The Watoto children through the family unit learn and experience love and respect. 

 

For more than 20 years a rebel group has waged a ruthless ‘spiritual’ crusade of murder, mutilation, abduction and destruction against the people of Northern Uganda. Gulu, one of the orphanages, has been established to be an extensive rehabilitation centre where former child soldiers, child mothers and other individuals can be helped before re-integration into the community. Already, 50 volunteers have completed intensive training in trauma counselling and have started serving the community.  Already 72 formerly war-affected children have moved into their new homes with their new mothers and now have a real future for their lives.

 

Thanks for taking the time to visit my just giving page. Any donation that you feel able to make would be greatly appreciated and would make a huge difference to the life of someone less fortunate. 

 

Wish me luck! 

Janick

 

 

 

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure 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.