Whilst touring South Africa with the British Lions last year, a friend and I took some time off from our hedonistic jaunt to visit Ndirande Hill School in Malawi, which is run by the charity Mary’s Meals. I have been helping to support the school for the last few years after being inspired by the charity’s simple but effective philosophy: Mary’s Meals provides each child with a meal a day, if they come to school. Without this offer of food the children are sent out by their parents to scavenge for themselves. By offering them a meal at the end of the school day, these children get an education and the chance to improve both their own lives and those of their family and village. The only way to solve long-term poverty is after all through education.

There are 1,500 children at the school and yet it costs a mere £6 to feed a child for a year, hence my target of £9,000. Now without getting too soppy on you, we did both burst into tears when they sang the school song! I felt therefore I should shed a few more tears….though this time of pain by attempting to complete the Windsor Olympic Triathlon. The event consists of a 1500 metre swim, a 42 km cycle and finally a 10 km run (or shuffle in my case). For those of you familiar with the state of my body – unfeasibly short legs, a decimated back and late-onset asthma, this may well be beyond my capability. However I am hoping to complete the Triathlon in 3 ½ hours. If it makes donating any easier, I can guarantee that I will suffer horribly!

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.

Many thanks for your help

 

Peter