Dear Friends - I participated today (11th September) in the 5k women’s challenge in Hyde Park, once again in support of Women for Women International and the great work they do in Eastern Congo – helping women to rebuild their lives in one of the world's most dangerous places to be a woman.

My aim was to stay below half an hour - although this is far from being Olympic standard, it is Olympic for me having only embarked on this new found interest in running for charity 5 months ago. Needless to say, it was a tremendous experience and I am pleased to say that I completed the run in just under 28 minutes!

Ever since my first trip to Africa some six years ago, the continent has occupied a very special place in my heart and compelled me to return year after year. The closest I have been to the DR Congo was seeing the Congolese side of the Virunga mountains in the distance which Uganda shares with the DR Congo and Rwanda and which is the home of the last remaining mountain gorillas. It was difficult to imagine that beneath that lush greenery, war was waging and a human tragedy, which in more recent years has deliberately come to target women, has been playing out for more than a decade. The money I am hoping to raise will go towards helping women in Eastern Congo who have been subjected to unimaginable cruelties to rebuild their lives.

The list of worthy causes needing support is endless and I am truly grateful for you taking the time to visit my JustGiving page and your interest in the cause. Any support you are able to provide – financial and/or by championing the cause and raising awareness will make a difference and is greatly appreciated!

 For more information on the plight of the women in Eastern Congo please see http://www.womenforwomen.org/help-women/run-for-congo-women-london.php go to You Tube and watch the documentary: The World’s Most Dangerous Place for Women.

Kathrin