Raised: 115%
Target: £1,000.00
Raised so far: £1,154.01
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My story

 
I'm risking my knees, social life, and interesting conversation (unless you really like to talk running) for Garden Africa by running my first marathon around Amsterdam.

Garden Africa urgently needs your support - to find out why please read on below.

If you are able to support me raising money for GA - your cash will make a real difference. It's now worryingly close to the race - I'll be keeping this page updated with tales of my training......

So far.......

* Joined London Heathside running club - discovered how much easier it is to run yourself into knots of pain thanks to these folks!
* Took the plunge and got some personal training - which does wonders for all the niggly injuries those guys from Heathside cause
* Run 3 half marathons this year already - and now comfortably training at 12-13 miles for my weekly long run - now that's going up to 14 miles on Sunday and (sob) 18 miles on my birthday!

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Over the past 18 months GardenAfrica has been working with local training organisations in Swaziland to promote and support sustainable food production through the establishment of home-based gardens and micro-nurseries across some of the most vulnerable communities in rural Swaziland. All our graduates now fly a green flag outside their homesteads - demonstrating to others in their community that they have food, seed and trees for sale from their home-based nurseries, and skills to share freely. The idea behind this is that the more people they teach, the more demand there will be for their goods and services. Orphans are being fed, plant-based livelihoods are blossoming, and more gardens are already springing up using the same resource conservation techniques, even in the most drought prone areas.

The results of our pilot have been so successful that we have received funds from the EU to extend the programme to a further six communities. This funding is already supporting the training of a further two intakes of rural gardeners in cultivation, natural resource management, nursery development and business skills. Over the next three years, our 75 graduates will support the establishment of around 1,500 more home gardens, with advice, and supplies from their nurseries.  At an average of eight people per homestead, this produce will support the nutritional and healthcare needs of around 12,000 people.

And this is where our appeal becomes ever more urgent.

The continuation of this vital funding is dependent upon GardenAfrica raising a percentage of the budget.  While last year this would not have presented a problem to GardenAfrica, this year looks altogether different – with the recession severely affecting our traditional sources of income.

Repayment of this grant would jeopardise both GardenAfrica and its local partner.  Vusumnotfo currently serves 18 rural communities (40,000 people), and GardenAfrica has activities in four countries in Southern Africa – all of which are now under threat. 

As the only organisation specialising in horticulture in sub-Saharan Africa as a means of addressing poverty and poor health, GardenAfrica offers a unique opportunity for fellow gardeners to support initiatives close to their hearts (and stomachs).

For more information on GardenAfrica's vital work visit www.gardenafrica.org.uk.




You're crazy but well done! Donation by Samantha Arnold 06/11/09  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Better late than never - I told you I'd do it eventually. Well done!! Donation by Jennifer Heigham 03/11/09  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

A retrospective good luck! Donation by Rachel 26/10/09  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Donation by Brian Conner 26/10/09  

£10.00

You must be running right now, I hope it goes well! Donation by Rosa 18/10/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Good luck Stewie. Let's have a beer to celebrate when we're back from our respective travels. Donation by Nick Mehta 17/10/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Good luck Stew! :o) ! Donation by Will Roberts 11/10/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Go Stewart! Donation by Mary McNamara 09/10/09  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Good luck - hope the knees hold out... Donation by Philippa 08/10/09  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Go Stew....Go....ooooooo Donation by Papa Jeff 06/10/09  

£100.00 + £28.21 Gift Aid

Go Stew Donation by Toby 06/10/09  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

I am very admiring and not at all envious! Good luck. Donation by Laura Dance 06/10/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

good luck dude Donation by Jon Rapley 05/10/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Good luck Stewart, from Melissa, Rob, Izzy and Sprocket! Donation by Melissa Williamson 04/10/09  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

can't believe you're running double the distance of last sunday! good luck man! Donation by Sara Davies 04/10/09  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Good luck Stuart. Donation by Cordelia 04/10/09  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Loads of luck Stew!! Donation by Emma Perkins 04/10/09  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Good luck you weirdo!! Donation by Rich Barton 25/09/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Go Stew go! Donation by Ange + Kie 25/09/09  

£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid

Mighty impressive bro. I'm expecting a sprint finish though! Donation by Tom Horne 24/09/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Donation by Farah Govani 23/09/09  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

Think how many Burger King's you'll be able to eat after burning off all those calories! Donation by Sarah Hicks 21/09/09  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Just keep breathing! Donation by Mark Bush 20/09/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Best of luck Stewhole Donation by Neil Irving 20/09/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Good luck. Go Stewart, Go! Donation by Silka Kennedy-Todd 18/09/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Good luck Stewart - enjoy! Donation by Bob and Erica 18/09/09  

£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid

Good luck! Donation by Tim M. 17/09/09  

£7.00 + £1.97 Gift Aid

Good job I like running talk really.... Donation by Kate Halliwell 14/09/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Best of luck Stewart! Donation by Rachel White 11/09/09  

£5.00 + £1.41 Gift Aid

Have fun Donation by Alison Tedstone 11/09/09  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid
Donate now
 
* Total raised online: £978.01
  Offline donations: £176.00
  Gift Aid plus supplement: £273.03

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Find out how much it is and what we do for it.