<p>Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.</p> <p>To update you all: I completed the Cape Argos in a record time of 3hrs 44 minutes coming in the top 8% of women cyclists! Thank you to all those who have taken the time to donate to the cause and support me on my ride. Its still not too late to make a donation.</p> <p>I would like to thank Ash for his support round the course (being the faster rider I kept him waiting for me but I couldn't have done it without him). Please do read more about the cause below.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Regards</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Becca</p> <p>I am working with the Poole Africa Link&nbsp; which sends teams of various health professionals from Poole Hosptial&nbsp; to Southern Sudan to a town called Wau twice a year with the aim of improving the health of the community and training the doctors and nurses working in the hospital. I am planning on going out in April using my skills and knowledge as a Midwife.</p> <p>With this&nbsp;worthy charity in&nbsp;mind I have chosen to take part in a charity cycle race in Cape Town in March. It is a 110km (70miles) as fast as possible - ultimately in under 4.5hrs! I'm busy training in the winter cold and would greatly appreciate any donations you can spare. Please read on to find out more about Southern Sudan and the health problems they&nbsp;experience.</p> <p>The Poole Africa Link (PAL) is financed through fundraising activities, and provides training to doctors and nurses struggling to provide care in a community where disease is rife and healthcare facilities desperately inadequate.</p> <p>Currently, around one in ten children in Southern Sudan will die before they reach the age of five. Children suffer from chronic malnutrition, as well as diseases such as malaria, AIDS, TB and polio. Illnesses that would be easy to treat in the UK are often fatal because of a lack of skills and equipment.</p> <p>The situation for pregnant women is equally dire. Around 70% of women who attend the hospital in Wau need emergency Caesarean sections, but equipment is in very short supply, sterilisation is inadequate, and the hospital has no oxygen, suction or anaesthetic gases.</p> <p>Pregnancy and childbirth are often viewed as one of the most important and special times in a woman and her families life. I have been fortunate to work in various hospitals in a variety of settings in maternity providing good quality and safe care. However, this is often not the case for women in Sudan with the majority birthing with just family in attendance&nbsp;in remote areas.</p> <p>Just think, ONE woman dies EVERY minute from a pregnancy related issue globally.</p> <p>This is a major issue and anything that can improve women and family&nbsp;health should be encouraged. Southern Sudan is just one country but its important to start somewhere!</p> <p>Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving &ndash; they&rsquo;ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they&rsquo;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&rsquo;s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.</p> <p>Many thanks</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Rebecca x</p>