19th July 2009

BREAKING NEWS:

I did complete the 10 km in 69 minutes and 45 seconds, just beating my ideal target time of 70 minutes. My very worthy opponent was just behind me and will generously be donating £10,000 so thanks very, very much to Naguib and all my other friends who have so kindly contributed to the two very worthwhile and deserving charities. I am hoping to carry on running! Munir

6th July 2009

Bear in mind that I am old, fat and unfit - I am nearly fifty-four, weigh 99 kg (that's 15 stone 7 lbs), and haven't exercised for nearly 10 years bar the occasional round of golf! And I loathe running! I am therefore still in a state of shock following my agreement to run 10 km in the AKF Partnership Walk & Run on 19th July in Regent's Park.

 A very good friend of mine, Malik Karim, was hosting a splendid dinner for seven couples at Amaya on 30th June. One of the other friends present, Naguib Kheraj (who is Chairman of the AKF Foundation in the ) said he was taking part in the run. I was quietly tucking into the grub, whilst downing copious amounts of claret, when Malik volunteered that I would race Naguib and contribute £10,000 to the AKF if Naguib beat me, with Naguib having to contribute the £10,000 if I beat him. The occasion must have gotten the better of me because I agreed. So, I now have less than 2 weeks to prepare myself.

 Since I am going through this pain, I thought I would try and raise some money for two very worthwhile causes. The £10,000 plus 50% of all additional monies raised will go to the The Aga Khan Foundation, with the balance going to Educate A Child Trust. I do hope you are able to contribute generously.

Please also be nice and gentle with me if you see me soon after the 19th of July!

The Aga Khan Foundation

100% of the funds raised will go towards three projects:

Environment Health Improvement Programme in ‘Jailoo’ Kindergartens in the Rice Yield Improvement Programme in

Full details are available at http://www.partnershipsinaction.org.uk/

Educate A Child Trust

I am a Trustee of this small charity, which works with children and families in . We have helped educate nearly 2,000 children in the area and some of the students are now attending higher education colleges and universities. In addition, we built 48 new homes for families who lost their homes in the tsunami, and have now also built a Community Centre, where we provide English & IT classes, basic healthcare and micro-credit programme for the women in the area. As with the AKF, all funds raised are used towards the charitable work.

Please look up http://www.educateachildtrust.org/ for further details.